Man sentenced to eight years for teenage girl’s rape

Oliver James, described as a “dangerous paedophile,” has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the rape of a teenage girl, an act committed after he posed as a teenager. James, formerly of Marine Drive, Bishopstone, East Sussex, contacted his victim on the social media app Snapchat and arranged to meet her in woodland in Newhaven. Sussex Police stated that James, who was actually 29 at the time, initially claimed to be 16 years old, then later 19. The victim, whose identity cannot be disclosed for legal reasons, reported her experience, which led to James’s arrest and charges. A police spokesperson stated that the victim had agreed to meet James in the Denton area of Newhaven at approximately 07:00 BST on 3 May. Police further reported that the girl expressed her unwillingness to have sex with James, but he forced himself on her before leaving the area. The victim later confided in a friend and her mother prior to reporting the incident to law enforcement. James appeared for sentencing at Hove Crown Court on Tuesday and was incarcerated after admitting to the charges of rape and sexual assault. He was also issued a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will remain indefinitely registered as a sex offender. Detective Sergeant Nick Green stated: “He convinced the young victim to meet him whilst posing as a teenage boy. He then raped her.“ He further remarked: “James is a dangerous paedophile and his sentence and lifetime SHPO reflects the danger he represents.“ Green concluded by saying: “My respect and admiration go to the young victim, whose strength and bravery in this case has been incredible.”