GARY LARNER FROM CARTERTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL GROOMING OF RAF CADETS IN OXFORD

In June 2023, a disturbing case emerged involving Corporal Gary Larner, a serviceman of the Royal Air Force stationed in Carterton, who was found guilty of sexually grooming three young female cadets, all aged 15, during his time serving with the RAF. The allegations revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned over two years, specifically in 2018 and 2019, and involved multiple instances of inappropriate contact and coercion.

Corporal Larner, aged 28 at the time of the offenses, had been recognized for his service overseas and held a position of considerable responsibility within the RAF. His role as a cadet group leader placed him in a position of trust and authority over the young girls, which he exploited for his own illicit purposes. The court heard that Larner engaged in grooming behaviors that included physical contact, attempts to kiss one of the victims, and persistent social media messaging aimed at the girls. He also solicited explicit photographs from both victims, which they complied with, believing it was part of their participation in cadet activities.

One of the victims confided to detectives that Larner told her she 'owed him,' a statement that left her confused about the nature of her obligations. She expressed concern that her involvement in cadet courses might have been influenced by her interactions with Larner. The second girl, who aspired to a career as an RAF medic, suffered significant emotional distress following the abuse. She experienced anxiety and nightmares, which severely impacted her mental health and her ambitions.

On Friday, June 9, at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Maria Lamb sentenced Larner to 40 months in prison. The judge condemned his actions, emphasizing that Larner's position within the RAF carried significant responsibilities, especially regarding the safeguarding of the cadets under his supervision. She pointed out that Larner had egregiously abused the trust placed in him by the parents of the victims, who believed their daughters were in safe hands during cadet meetings. The judge also criticized Larner for disregarding RAF safeguarding protocols by continuing to contact the girls via social media despite being warned not to do so.

Prosecutor Gabrielle McAvock detailed that Larner, then approximately 23 years old, had met both victims through his voluntary work with the air cadets. The court was told that both girls, at the age of 15, were subjected to sexual touching by Larner and had sent him explicit photographs at his request. One victim recounted that she had sent Larner images of her body after he asked for them. The court also heard that Larner visited one girl’s home while her mother was at work, where he removed her trousers and touched her inappropriately.

Further allegations involved the second victim, who was targeted during a radio course in September 2019. Larner reportedly slipped his hand beneath a table and touched her thigh over her combat trousers. He also attempted to kiss her later that same day. The pair was said to have shared kisses in a field near her home, and she too sent Larner explicit images at his behest. The court noted that Larner’s misconduct was compounded by his failure to heed warnings from his superiors within the RAF, who had previously cautioned him about his inappropriate social media interactions with cadets.

During police interviews in 2020 and again in 2021, Larner denied the allegations, claiming he had not met the girls outside of cadet activities. Initially denying any wrongdoing, he eventually pleaded guilty in April to six charges of sexual activity with a child, which spared the victims from having to give pre-recorded evidence in court. Although he was not charged with additional offenses, investigators uncovered text messages between Larner and a third cadet, unrelated to the victims, in which they discussed sexual topics in graphic detail. The prosecution had sought to present these messages as evidence of Larner’s character, but the judge denied the application.

As part of his sentence, Larner will be registered as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the breach of trust involved. The case highlights the importance of safeguarding measures within military organizations and the devastating impact of abuse by individuals in positions of authority.