JOHN COX AND JAMIE CROSS FROM WIGSTON HARCOURT SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND RAPE OF 13-YEAR-OLD BOY IN LEICESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Wigston Harcourt near Leicester, two men, John Cox and Jamie Cross, were convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse and repeated rape of a young boy aged just 13 years old. The events took place in 2005, but the full extent of their actions only came to light years later, culminating in a court trial at Leicester Crown Court.

According to court records, the victim endured years of emotional and psychological torment following the abuse. It was only after he summoned the courage to reach out and gather evidence that the truth was uncovered. The victim’s testimony and evidence presented in court revealed that Cox and Cross took turns to assault him, with Cox raping him on two separate occasions, and Cross also participating in the sexual abuse. The jury found both men guilty of two counts each of raping the young boy.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim delivered a heartfelt personal statement, expressing hope that others who have suffered similar abuse would find the strength to come forward. He described how the trauma affected his education and led him down a difficult path for several years. The victim recounted recurring nightmares where he saw the faces of Cox and Cross emerging from the walls, shouting at him. He also expressed feelings of anger and betrayal, stating, “I felt angry at what they’d done to me and my body.”

In a chilling revelation, the victim disclosed that, years after the abuse, he contacted Cox and Cross via Facebook. During these online exchanges, he experienced feelings of “fear and disgust,” especially after recalling that Cross had referred to sexual activity that had taken place, which was used as evidence during the trial. Despite their denials of the allegations, the court found that Cross had acknowledged the sexual encounters in text conversations with the victim, which significantly contributed to the conviction.

Judge Robert Brown sentenced both men to substantial prison terms, emphasizing the gravity of their actions. He stated, “You were both in your mid-20s at the time and the complainant was 13. The circumstances in which you abused him were a gross breach of trust by you.” The judge further condemned Cox, 38, and Cross, 37, both of whom resided on Simons Close in Wigston Harcourt, near Leicester, for taking advantage of the young boy and raping him on multiple occasions. Cox was specifically noted to have raped the victim during two separate incidents, with Cross also participating in the assaults.

Judge Brown expressed profound sympathy for the victim, saying, “I can’t and don’t attempt to begin to describe the pain and suffering he’s gone through… the pain is real, it’s lasting and will never leave him.” He also addressed the false accusations made by the victim during the trial, describing them as a re-traumatization. The judge highlighted that the jury’s verdicts confirmed the guilt of Cox and Cross, emphasizing that their actions represented a clear abuse of trust, with both men planning and executing these encounters deliberately.

The court was informed that both defendants had prior convictions related to child pornography, for which they received suspended sentences in 2017. Judge Brown criticized their lack of remorse and character, noting the absence of mitigation beyond their character references. Both men were ordered to undergo sex offender treatment while in custody and were placed on lifetime sexual harm prevention orders. They are also required to record all future addresses on the police sexual offenders’ register and are permanently barred from working with children.

Prosecutor Richard Thatcher explained that the victim had initially known Cox and Cross through their work providing first aid services at public events. As he matured, the victim managed to entrap Cross in a Facebook conversation, aiming to obtain admissions about the abuse. The process of giving evidence in court caused the victim to relive the trauma, which he described as feeling “like a tornado.”

Both Cox and Cross received sentences of 12 years each in prison. Their sentences include the imposition of life-time sexual harm prevention orders, and they will be subject to strict monitoring and registration requirements. Although they faced additional charges of lesser sexual assaults during the same period, the jury acquitted them of those counts. The court’s verdict underscores the severity of their crimes and the lasting impact on the victim, who expressed hope that his courage would inspire others to come forward and seek justice.