Description
A man has been sentenced for multiple sexual offences against a child, following the brave victim coming forward to the police to report his abhorrent actions.
James Russell abused his position of being known to the victim, messaging her on a social media platform when she was 15-years-old. He continued to send inappropriate and sexual content for months, asking if the victim 'loved' him and sending photos of his genitalia.
The victim bravely came forward and disclosed what Russell had been sending her.
He was charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child.
Today (Friday 16 January), Russell, aged 44, was handed a five-year sentence.
Courageously, Russell's victim shared the impact of his disgusting actions, speaking about the impact it had on her mental health:
"For the 12 months following the abuse it was so hard to be alive. The energy and fight it took just to get through the day was so great that I didn’t want to live anymore. I was so terrified.
"Brushing your teeth, washing your hair, these are activities that we should be able to do. But I just couldn’t do any of them. I couldn’t even make myself a cup of tea. On a bad day, I couldn’t speak or eat. And there were a lot of bad days.
"This kind of abuse is not a subject you can easily talk about. It feels embarrassing. I feel stupid, like I should have known what was happening. I often blame myself for what happened."
Alyshea Sharp, who worked on the case, said:
"Russell abused his position of trust with his victim which has caused her great pain.
"I would like to commend the victim's bravery throughout this whole investigation. It has been extremely difficult for her to recount the actions of Russell, but I hope this sentence today provides her with some comfort knowing Russell is now being held accountable for his actions, and the trauma it has caused her."
Russell, of no fixed abode, initially plead guilty to the counts of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child at Sheffield Crown Court on 17 September 2024. He pleaded not guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, but later changed his plea at the same court on 5 September 2025.