A man from Lancing has been jailed for stalking a woman and then raping her teenage relative.
James Green, 37, of Brighton Road in Lancing, subjected a woman in her 30s to a sustained campaign of stalking and harassment for over a year.
He destroyed her property, covering her clothes and bedding with bleach and stealing her jewellery, before moving into a property very near to the victim’s house.
Green also damaged the woman’s car, stuck offensive posters to her garden fence and tried to encourage her teenage relative, his second victim, to steal her phone for him.
Green’s contact with the young relative continued and he began grooming the girl, sending her sexual messages while claiming to be part of a gang.
In August 2023, Green raped the girl in his home – this was reported to police, and he was arrested.
While on bail, despite having conditions not to contact the girl, he continued to do so, intercepting her in the street and giving her a phone to use to contact him.
Over four months, Green made more than 1,600 calls and messages to the girl, sending her sexual videos of himself, encouraging her to take her own life and to give a false statement to police claiming the rape had not happened. If she refused, he threatened her with repercussions from his fictional gang.
In December 2024, Sussex Police secured charges against Green, and he was remanded in custody.
He faced trial at Lewes Crown Court and, on Tuesday, 24 June, was found guilty of rape of a girl, two counts of sexual communication with a child, stalking involving serious alarm and distress, two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, criminal damage, theft, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and perverting the course of justice.
At the same court on Thursday, 11 September, he was sentenced to 18 years, with 12 to be spent in custody and six on extended licence. He was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life and restraining orders against both victims.
Detective Inspector Harry Doyle said: “James Green subjected both of the victims to the most appalling ordeals.
"I would like to thank them both for the incredible courage and resolve they have shown to support this investigation and help put a dangerous man behind bars.
“I also commend the investigative team for their diligent work in bringing Green to justice and supporting the victims throughout.
“If you are a victim of sexual abuse or stalking, please report to police online or via 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency. We will do all we can to get you justice.”
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