Devon Olympian jailed for 21 years for raping teenagers

A former Olympic swimmer and student police officer has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for a string of sexual offences.

Antony James, 35, of Crownhill in Plymouth, was found guilty of 14 offences, including the rape of two teenage girls who were under 18.

Other offenses include three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and six counts of  making indecent photographs of a child.

Antony James was sentenced today, Wednesday 26 February, at Plymouth Crown Court.

He'll serve two thirds of his 21-year sentence in jail and is then expected to be released on licence.

He was also given a 25-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

The court heard that the offences took place between 2012 and 2022.

The 35-year-old represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympic Games and had begun training with Devon & Cornwall Police in October 2020.

He was immediately suspended after initial disclosures were made in January 2022 and was dismissed from the force in August 2023.

James denied all of the offences apart from the six indecent image indictments.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said: “Antony James preyed upon and groomed his young victims in a calculated fashion, abusing their trust and convincing them to become sexually involved with him. He is a highly manipulative individual who exploited and controlled these girls for his own sexual gratification.

“He claimed that he thought the girls were over the age of consent when the offending began but his lies were exposed during the trial. He was well aware of their ages and continued to abuse them even after they turned 16.

“This was a lengthy and complex investigation led by the Major Crime Investigation Team and I thank the officers for their professionalism. Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the survivors in this case who bravely gave evidence in court and supported our investigation. We would not have achieved today’s outcome without their tenacity and courage.”

Assistant Chief Constable Jim Pearce said: “We hope that seeing him prosecuted and sentenced, regardless of his position, sends a clear message that we will not tolerate such abuse and harmful attitudes within our service.

“Our thoughts are with the brave survivors who have displayed tremendous courage throughout this investigation and the justice process. I would like to remind victims of sexual offences to please talk to us, you will be believed and you will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.”