JAMES OSLER FROM SLEAFORD SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN LINCOLN

In a case that has shocked the community of Sleaford and the wider Lincolnshire area, James Osler, a 25-year-old man from Butler Way in Sleaford, was sentenced to six years in prison at Lincoln Crown Court for serious child sex offences. The charges stemmed from incidents that took place between June 1 and August 29 of the previous year, involving a young girl who was only four or five years old at the time.

Osler faced two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, along with an additional charge of sexual assault. Despite his denial of the allegations, the jury swiftly reached a guilty verdict, deliberating for less than thirty minutes before announcing their decision. The prosecution, led by Andrew Vout, detailed how Osler had sexually abused the young girl during the summer months and had warned her not to disclose what had happened, adding a layer of betrayal and manipulation to the case.

During the trial, Osler was visibly emotional, weeping in the dock as the jury foreman delivered the guilty verdicts. His reaction did not end there; he proceeded to shout abuse at Judge John Pini QC during the sentencing phase. However, after being brought back into court for clarification of his sentence, Osler offered an apology to the judge.

Judge Pini addressed the court, emphasizing the gravity of the offences: “This offending occurred when the girl was a very young child. She was four or five years of age. You have shown no remorse at all.” The judge’s remarks underscored the severity of the crimes committed and the impact on the innocent victim.

In mitigation, Robert Underwood spoke on behalf of Osler, highlighting that the defendant, despite his criminal history, had not previously been involved in offences of a similar nature. He acknowledged Osler’s prior imprisonment and suggested that the young man was aware of the harsh realities of prison life, which would make his upcoming incarceration particularly challenging. The court was left to consider the seriousness of the offences and the need for justice to be served in this disturbing case.