Ex-Cambridgeshire police officer sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexual abuse of teenager
The abuse took place across numerous locations within the county over 30 years ago
Last updated 26th Jun 2023
An ex-Cambridgeshire police officer has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenager over 30 years ago.
He can be released two thirds into his sentence.
James Boyle, now 69, was with Cambridgeshire Constabulary when he raped and sexually assaulted a teenage girl between 1986 and 1991.
The offences took place at a number of locations within the county.
Essex Police was made aware of the of the abuse in 2018 after an exchange of messages on social on media.
The victim said the abuse had left her feeling upset, ashamed and guilty.
At the time he was arrested, Boyle was working as a criminal defence barrister.
Boyle, of Sunbury Place, Edinburgh, was charged with several sexual offences including rape.
A trial last month at Cambridge Crown Court found him guilty of two counts of rape, and one count of indecent assault.
He was found not guilty of seven other offences.
Boyle's crimes took victim's 'chance of normality away'
Boyle's victim bravely told Cambridge Crown Court of the abuse she was subjected to.
“I felt distraught and the abuse took away my chance of normality," she said.
"I suffered from panic attacks and was struggling to sleep.
"Over the years, Jim abused and manipulated me and my husband and children have given me the strength to get through this.”
Help available:
If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this article, help is available. Contact Rape Crisis in your nation:
Rape crisis England and Wales - 808 500 2222 - https://rapecrisis.org.uk
Rape Crisis Scotland - 08088 01 03 02 - https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Rape Crisis NI – 0800 0246 991 - https://rapecrisisni.org.uk