By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-21 15:20:38 | Updated at 2026-09-21 15:59:44
42 minutes ago
A transgender sex offender has been found guilty of grooming a young girl before going on to rape her.
James Groves, who calls himself "April", was sentenced to 20 years and six months for 19 separate sexual offences at Bristol Crown Court.
The 51-year-old, of Little Stoke, South Gloucestershire, was found guilty of nine counts of rape on Friday.
The paedophile rapist will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for an indefinite period.
Police were alerted to the offences after Groves was first arrested for inappropriate communication with a child.
The victim later disclosed that she had been sexually abused and raped by the paedophile for years.
When Groves was in custody, he was arrested for the same offences.
Police launched an investigation while the victim continued to receive support from specialist officers.
The rapist has been sentenced to 20 years for 19 offences
AVON AND SOMERSET POLICE
The impact statement from Groves' victim read: "I felt that because Groves groomed me, I did not realise how serious what was going on was.
"They built up a relationship with me, and, in my head, I did not feel like it was enough for me to contact the police.
“People have said to me that I am not the bright, bubbly girl I once was, and I am just a shell of my former self.
"I don’t remember chunks of my childhood because of what Groves did, and this is because of the trauma I have been through.
The rapist was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court on Friday
"I have lost my childhood because of what they did, and I will never get it back."
Following the sentencing, DC Ben Perrett, from our Criminal Investigations Department (CID), said: "This has been an extremely distressing case involving the sustained abuse of a vulnerable young girl, who was targeted and manipulated by the offender over several years.
"Groves’ actions demonstrate a calculated pattern of grooming designed to gain trust and exert control.
"I would like to commend the victim for her exceptional bravery in coming forward and supporting the investigation.
"Her courage has been instrumental in securing this conviction and preventing further harm.
"I hope this result sends a clear message that we take offences of this nature extremely seriously.
"We will work tirelessly to protect vulnerable individuals and bring those responsible to justice."
Groves was convicted of:
- Four counts of the rape of a child (contrary to section 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003);
- Four counts of sexual assault against a child;
- Two counts of assault of a child by penetration;
- Five counts of rape (contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003);
- Two counts of assault by penetration;
- One count of the possession of indecent photographs of a child;
- Attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child; and
- Carrying out acts intended to pervert the course of public justice.
