Team GB swimmer 'with twisted needs' convicted of child sex offences

Ex-Olympic athlete Antony James now faces time in jail

A former Team GB swimmer who raped two schoolgirls has been convicted of a string of sex offences. Ex-Olympic athlete Antony James - who competed at the London 2012 Games - now faces times behind bars for his crimes.

The 34-year-old had denied all charges but stood trial over the allegations - which included rape and sexual activity with a child. The prosecution said the offences took place over a decade.

James was arrested while working as a trainee police officer. During the trial, prosecutor Lee Bremridge said the paedophile had 'sexual needs and desires' which became 'increasingly more twisted and perverse as time went on'.

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His victims were younger than 16 when he first met them, the court was told. Jurors started their deliberations last Friday (October 11) following a four-week trial at Plymouth Crown Court, PlymouthLive reports.

During the trial, two jurors had to stand down, leaving just seven men and three women. He faced 20 counts involving three victims, with offences reported to have taken place between 2012 and 2022.

Today (Wednesday, October 16), the jury returned its verdicts. With the first victim, James was unanimously convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a child and convicted by a majority of one count of rape, when she was over 16.

They were unable to reach a verdict on a fourth count of sexual activity with a child, relating to the same victim. He was acquitted of controlling or coercive behaviour on second victim between March 2018 and March 2021.

James was unanimously convicted of two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity in relation to a third victim, who was under the age of 16 at the time. He was also unanimously convicted of two counts of rape, when the victim was 16.

But James was acquitted of two counts of causing that same child to watch a sexual act. Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on five further counts of rape, two of which were alleged to have taken place at an Exeter Airbnb.

James, of Crownhill, Plymouth, was granted bail ahead of his sentencing at a future date. Devon and Cornwall Police has said James was suspended following his arrest and is no longer an employee of the force.