DARREN LYMER FROM MARCHAM SENTENCED TO 3.5 YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST TEEN GIRLS IN OXFORD

In a case that has drawn significant attention from the local community, Darren Lymer, a karate instructor residing in Marcham near Abingdon, was convicted of serious sexual offences involving two teenage girls. The incident dates back to August 2011 and January 2012, during which Lymer engaged in inappropriate and unlawful acts that have now led to his imprisonment.

On a recent day at Oxford Crown Court, the jury found Lymer guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual assault. The court proceedings revealed the gravity of the allegations, and as the verdicts were announced, Lymer, aged 50 and formerly of Anson Close in Marcham, bowed his head and closed his eyes in the dock. The moment was met with audible gasps from members of the public gallery, reflecting the shock and seriousness of the case.

Following the verdict, the father of the younger victim expressed his relief and satisfaction with the outcome. He praised his daughter’s bravery and resilience in coming forward to testify against Lymer, acknowledging the difficult and frightening nature of her experience. The father stated, “I would like to pay tribute to the incredibly courageous and brave teenagers who gave accounts of what must have been a frightening and harrowing experience. That is what led us to this point and I am grateful it has been rewarded by what I consider the right verdicts in this trial.”

He further added that his daughter would find some closure in the verdicts and the sentence, though he recognized that neither the guilty verdict nor the prison term would bring her happiness. Instead, he hoped that her strength and bravery would help her recover from the trauma and move forward with her life. “My daughter will be happy that the experience can be drawn to a close. I don’t think she will find any pleasure in either the verdicts or the sentence, she’ll just be happy that an unhappy experience is over,” he said.

Lymer’s crimes involved inappropriate physical contact with two teenage girls, with the assault on the younger girl occurring in August 2011, and the other offences committed in January 2012 against an older teenage girl. During the trial, Lymer’s defense lawyer, Jonathan Coode, maintained his client’s innocence, emphasizing the profound impact the case had already had on Lymer’s life. Coode explained that Lymer had been hospitalized due to illness and that both he and his wife had relocated to Devon. Additionally, Lymer lost his job as a delivery driver after the allegations became public.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat, presiding over the case, sentenced Lymer to three and a half years in prison. She emphasized the lasting harm such offences inflict on victims, stating, “Offences like this have a lasting effect on their victims. They are things that cannot be put out of their minds and can cause harm for years and years.”

Thames Valley Police’s Detective Constable Tom Smalley commented on the case, reaffirming the force’s commitment to prosecuting sexual offences. He highlighted the importance of victims coming forward and praised their courage in reporting the crimes. As part of his sentence, Lymer will be registered on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.