Corby man jailed for child sexual abuse
60 year old James John Barrie has been jailed for 10 years and will be on the sex offenders register for life.
A Corby man who sexually abused a teenage boy has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of eight offences.
James John Barrie, aged 60, was reported to Northamptonshire Police in March 2019, after the boy, then aged 14, bravely disclosed the abuse he had suffered the previous November and December during visits to Barrie’s home.
Investigations by officers from SOLAR, the Force’s dedicated rape investigation team, saw the boy reveal that Barrie had repeatedly engaged in sexual activity with him, had shown him pornography and had masturbated in front of him.
Barrie went on to be charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child, one count of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, and two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
He went on trial at Nottingham Crown Court in early May before the jury returned guilty verdicts on all eight counts on May 15.
Barrie, who had been living in Guilford, Surrey, ahead of his trial, was sentenced on the same date to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to prevent him reoffending once released.
Speaking afterwards, investigating officer Detective Constable Julia Eyles of SOLAR, said: “Thanks to the bravery of the victim survivor in coming forward to report what James Barrie did to him, a sexual predator is now off the streets and unable to harm anyone else.
“During our investigation, the boy told us of his feelings of shame, fear and guilt at what had happened to him.
“The only guilt in this case lies with James Barrie, who took sexual advantage of a child in the most horrendous ways for his own gratification.
“The courage of the victim survivor in giving evidence in court has led to Barrie’s conviction, and I hope this outcome helps the boy to continue to recover and move forward positively."