JAMES BELAM, RETIRED CHINGFORD POLICE OFFICER, JAILED FOR DECADES OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN LONDON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, James Belam, a 73-year-old retired police officer from Chingford, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offences spanning over three decades. The crimes, which involved young girls, came to light after a victim disclosed her abuse in August 2015, prompting a police investigation that uncovered a disturbing pattern of misconduct.

Belam, who previously served as a police constable within the Waltham Forest Borough, was not believed to have committed any of the offences while on duty. His arrest was initiated following the revelation of the initial victim, but subsequent investigations revealed that the abuse had been ongoing for many years, with allegations from multiple victims emerging during the course of the inquiry.

On Thursday, December 1, at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Belam was formally sentenced after admitting to a series of sexual offences. The court heard that the abuse began in the mid-1980s and continued until at least August 2015, with the offences involving young girls under the age of 14. Belam pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including assault and indecent assault, with some incidents dating back as far as the early 1980s.

The charges he admitted to include two counts of assault on a girl under 13, both occurring on August 22, 2015. Other counts involved assaults between June and August 2007, as well as multiple incidents of indecent assault on girls under 14, with some cases spanning from 2001 to 2004, and others from the early 1980s. Notably, he also faced charges of inciting a girl under 14 to commit acts of gross indecency during the same period in the early 1980s.

The judge condemned Belam’s actions, emphasizing the betrayal of trust given his position as a former police officer. The sentencing reflects the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims. The case has raised concerns about safeguarding and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse, even from those who once served as protectors in the community.