Olympic Swimmer Antony James Sentenced to 21 Years for Sexual Offenses
Former Olympic swimmer Antony James has been sentenced to 21 years for multiple sexual offenses, including the rape of two teenage girls under 18.
Former Olympic Swimmer Antony James Sentenced to 21 Years for Sexual Offenses
Former Olympic swimmer Antony James has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for a series of sexual offenses, including the rape of two teenage girls under the age of 18. The 35-year-old, who represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics, was found guilty of multiple charges in October, including three counts of rape and three counts of sexual activity with a child.
Case Details
The Plymouth Crown Court heard that the offenses took place between 2012 and 2022. James, who was training to become a police officer with Devon and Cornwall Police at the time of his arrest in January 2022, was found guilty of eight charges in total. These included three counts of rape, three counts of sexual activity with a child, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Victim Impact Statements
One of the victims, reading out her impact statement in court, said, "I feel as if my formative teenage years… have been stripped from me. I always wonder what kind of girl I would have been if I hadn't met you."
Judge's Ruling
Judge Robert Linford ruled that two-thirds of James' sentence would be served in custody before being released on licence. Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed for 25 years, and James will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Prosecution's Statement
Senior Crown prosecutor Gemma Kneebone stated, "James was well aware of how young these victims were. He set out to take advantage of this in a truly appalling manner, continuing to offend against them after they turned 16." Kneebone also highlighted that the prosecution would not have been possible without the evidence bravely provided by the young women involved.
Background
James competed in the 100m butterfly for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics and won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. His fall from grace has shocked the sporting community, raising serious questions about the behavior and accountability of athletes.