Trans sex offender who groomed and raped young girl nine times is jailed for 20 years

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 07:33 EDT, 21 September 2026 | Updated: 07:54 EDT, 21 September 2026 A trans woman who groomed and raped a vulnerable young girl nine times has been jailed for more than 20 years.James Groves, 51, who goes by the name April but was tried as a man, was convicted of 18 child sex offences and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice at Bristol Crown Court.The 'manipulative' child sex offender raped the girl nine times over a number of years while she was a child.His victim, who cannot be named but was praised by police for her 'exceptional bravery', told the trial she had 'lost my childhood' because of the horrific abuse.'I am just a shell of my former self. I don't remember chunks of my childhood because of what Groves did, and this is because of the trauma I have been through,' she said.'People have said to me that I am not the bright, bubbly girl I once was.'I have lost my childhood. I will never get it back.' Trans child rapist James Groves, 51, who uses the name April but was tried as a man, has been jailed for 20 yearsHis offending only came to light after he was arrested for inappropriate communication with a child.'I did not feel like it was enough for me to contact the police,' the victim said, before bravely coming forward.Groves was sentenced to 20 years and six months in prison on September 9.A jury unanimously found Groves, who also goes by the name April but was named as James Groves on the indictment and referred to as James throughout the sentencing hearing, guilty of 19 separate non-recent offences.These included nine counts of rape.Groves will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for an indefinite period.The offences were reported after Groves was arrested for inappropriate communication with a child. The victim subsequently disclosed that she had been sexually abused and raped by him over a number of years.Groves was further arrested for those offences while in custody.A thorough investigation was then carried out and specialist support services were put in place for the victim. Groves was charged in October last year.He was convicted in June and sentenced earlier this month.Detective Constable Ben Perrett, of Avon and Somerset Police's Criminal Investigation Department, said: 'This has been an extremely distressing case involving the sustained abuse of a vulnerable young girl, who was targeted and manipulated by the offender over several years.'Groves' actions demonstrate a calculated pattern of grooming designed to gain trust and exert control.'I would like to commend the victim for her exceptional bravery in coming forward and supporting the investigation.'Her courage has been instrumental in securing this conviction and preventing further harm. I hope this result sends a clear message that we take offences of this nature extremely seriously. We will work tirelessly to protect vulnerable individuals and bring those responsible to justice.'