BRADLEY JAMES FROM WASHINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN OXFORD AND NEWCASTLE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Bradley James, a known sex offender from Washington, near Gateshead, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous crimes involving minors. The incidents span multiple locations, including Oxford and Newcastle, highlighting the extent of his predatory behavior.

In June 2013, James was sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of grooming and abusing a 14-year-old girl from Oxfordshire. The court heard that James, who had previously served two prison terms for possessing and distributing indecent images of children, had been released on licence after his earlier convictions. Despite this, he resumed contact with minors, this time via the internet, in August of the previous year.

James initiated a five-month relationship with the young girl, which culminated in sexual activity. The court was informed that the abuse took place at the Travelodge hotel located at the Pear Tree interchange, north of Oxford. During this period, James also took indecent images of the girl, further compounding his criminal behavior. The judge, Mary Jane Mowat, described James as a dangerous offender and emphasized the devastating impact of his actions on the victim. She sentenced him to nine years in custody, with the understanding that he will serve two-thirds of that term, along with an extended five-year licence period.

Prior to this, in July 2009, James was jailed for posing as a professional photographer to exploit a 15-year-old schoolgirl. He had contacted her through the social networking site Faceparty, claiming to be seeking models for his portfolio. The court learned that James, then 32, had already served eight months in prison for possessing and distributing indecent images of children in 2005. During the incident involving the schoolgirl, James convinced her mother to allow a photoshoot at their family home, claiming he despised those who preyed on young girls. Despite the girl admitting she was under 16, James pressured her to pose topless and took provocative photographs, including images of her in her underwear and bikini in the garden.

The mother of the victim intervened when James continued to push for more explicit shots, and the photoshoot was halted. However, James continued to contact the girl, suggesting a professional studio shoot, which she declined. Following her refusal, James posted the explicit images online and sent messages to her friends, directing them to his website. The victim’s mother reported the incident to police, leading to James’s arrest on April 14. Police found 76 indecent images of children on his computer, and he was subsequently charged with multiple offences, including possessing indecent images and attempting to exploit a minor.

James’s criminal activities prompted a strong response from law enforcement. Detective Chief Inspector John Lingwood of Sunderland Area Command praised the police efforts in apprehending James, emphasizing their commitment to protecting children from harm. He stated, “The protection of children from physical and sexual harm is at the heart of policing here in Sunderland. Every possible effort will be made by our officers to bring all such offenders to justice.”

During the court proceedings, James’s defense acknowledged his problematic behavior. Julian Smith, representing James, explained that his client’s marriage of nine years had ended following the revelations, and he had lost his job. Smith added, “He accepts that he has a problem, that is abnormal behaviour.”

Ultimately, James was sentenced to a total of seven years, comprising two years in prison and five years on licence. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was permanently banned from working with children, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to society.