A former police officer has been found guilty of sexual offences committed more than 30 years ago.
James Boyle, now 69, was with Cambridgeshire Constabulary when he raped and sexually assaulted a teenage girl between 1986 and 1991, the force said in a statement. The abuse took place at a number of locations around the country, and was reported to police in 2018 after an exchange of messages on social media.
Boyle, of Sunbury Place, Edinburgh, was working as a criminal defence barrister at the time of his arrest. He was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday.
He was found not guilty of seven other offences. He will be sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on May 25.
Essex Police said his victim was left feeling "upset, ashamed and guilty" by his heinous acts. But Detective Sergeant Carla Hillyer of the force said the verdict showed it was “never too late” to get justice.
She said: “I want to praise the bravery demonstrated by the victim in this case for coming forward and reporting what had happened to her. James Boyle subjected her to half a decade of abuse which has had an impact on the rest of her life.
“He then tried to deny any abuse had ever happened. Thankfully, he was not believed by the jury and now faces a significant amount of time behind bars.
“Nothing will undo the damage his actions have done but I hope this result will help her move forward. I hope this conviction shows it is never too late to get justice and we will support you.
“Boyle worked as a criminal defence barrister, he knew this system and what the victim was up against. This was not a barrier to us pushing forward with our investigation and the CPS prosecuting and, ultimately, securing justice.”
She added: “I am pleased our efforts have resulted in Boyle’s conviction and justice for the victim.”
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