JOHN OSBORNE FROM AUST SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR GROOMING AND RAPE IN SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In a case that highlights the dangers of online manipulation and grooming, John Osborne, a 27-year-old man from Aust in South Gloucestershire, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 18 years for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual assault and manipulation of a woman. The conviction follows a detailed trial at Bristol Crown Court, where Osborne was found guilty of 15 counts of rape, a verdict that underscores the severity of his actions and the extent of his criminal behavior.

Osborne’s criminal activities centered around the creation of multiple fictitious online personas, each with its own name, phone number, and social media profiles. These fake identities were used as tools to groom his victim over a period of three months. During this time, he bombarded her with more than 4,000 messages across four different social media accounts, gradually building a relationship of trust before turning to threats and intimidation.

According to court proceedings, Osborne initially used these profiles to befriend the woman, encouraging her to share personal details about her life. However, his intentions soon turned malicious as he began to threaten her, claiming that she would face serious harm if she refused to comply with his demands. His tactics aimed to isolate her from her friends and family, making her more vulnerable to his control.

During the trial, it was revealed that Osborne fabricated a disturbing narrative, claiming to know the woman’s acquaintances as well as himself. He falsely asserted that if she did not agree to have sex with him, he would be kidnapped, assaulted, and raped. These threats were part of his strategy to coerce her into compliance.

In a chilling twist, Osborne and the victim eventually met in person, during which he claimed that he was also being forced into sex against his will. To further intimidate her, he fabricated evidence suggesting that video recordings of their encounter existed and would be shared online. He also threatened to distribute indecent images of women near her home and workplace, with her name and phone number attached, effectively blackmailing her into further sexual acts.

Following his conviction, Osborne was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Additionally, he will serve a five-year period on licence after his release, and he will be registered on the sex offenders register for life. The court also imposed a 10-year restraining order and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent any future contact or harm.

Osborne’s sentencing sends a strong message about the serious consequences of online grooming and sexual violence, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding individuals from such manipulative and predatory behavior in the digital age.