Man jailed for 10 years for sexual abuse of boy

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.

“Northamptonshire Police takes all forms of sexual abuse very seriously and we will do all we can to secure justice for survivors, a stance which is echoed by the robust sentence handed down in court.”

*This report and custody image have been published with the agreement of the victim survivor, who has the legal right to lifetime anonymity.*

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this report, find support and advice here.

Help and support

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse or assault, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk/RO. We will believe you.

If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.nhft.nhs.uk/serenity or call Serenity on 01604 601713.

Serenity provides free, confidential 24/7 support.

You can also visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965.

Voice is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.