Rapist jailed for string of sexual offences spanning more than 30 years

A Loughborough man has been jailed for 19 years after he was found guilty of raping two women and sexually abusing another across a period of more than 30 years.

All three of James Gamble’s victims were children at the time he committed the offences, which began in the early 1970s.

The last incident occurred in the mid-2000s.

On each occasion, with each of the three victims, Gamble took advantage of them while they were alone together, kissing them and touching them inappropriately. Two of the girls were raped on more than one occasion.

Yesterday (Thursday 2 February) at Leicester Crown Court 71-year-old Gamble – of Shelthorpe Road in Loughborough – was found guilty to a string of charges relating to sexual activity with children.

They were:

• Eight counts of indecent assault
• Four counts of sexual activity with a child
• Two counts of rape
• Two counts of sexual activity with a girl under 13 years of age
• Two counts of indecency with a child

Detective Sergeant Anna Blockley was the investigating officer. She said: “In interview, Gamble vehemently denied these offences, even stating one of the victims was a ‘compulsive liar’.

“He was trying to either convince us, himself – or everyone – that they didn’t happen when he knew fine well what he’d done over the years.

“It’s been difficult for each of the victims to have to go into detail about what happened both to police and in front of a jury. I hope today’s outcome will provide a degree of closure to all.”

• There are a number of different agencies who are able to offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

• Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/