James William

In August 2022, James William, a 34-year-old man of no fixed address, committed a series of grave offences in the Denton Holme area of Carlisle. The incident involved the kidnap of a boy under the age of 13, with the clear intent to commit a relevant sexual offence. William proceeded to sexually assault the young victim by touching, an act that has been described as terrifying for both the boy and his family.

William's criminal history was compounded by his breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which had been imposed to protect the public from further sexual harm. Despite this, he engaged in these predatory actions, highlighting his dangerous nature. The case was investigated by Detective Constable Chloe King of Cumberland CID, who led the efforts to bring William to justice.

At Carlisle Crown Court, William pleaded guilty to all charges on 20 February 2024. The court imposed a life sentence, mandating that he serve a minimum of four years and eight months before being eligible for consideration for release. This sentencing reflects the severity of the offences and the ongoing risk William poses to society.

Following the sentencing, DC King stated: 'William is a dangerous offender who is now behind bars. This was a terrifying incident for the victim and his family, and I hope today’s sentence brings them some closure. I would like to reassure our communities that incidents of this nature are extremely rare.' The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the effective work of local law enforcement in addressing sexual offences.

Source: UKNIP News, reporting on the Carlisle Crown Court proceedings.