James Boyle, 69, a former chief inspector with Cambridgeshire Police, has been jailed for 16 years for historic rape offences.
He left the force in 2003 – where he was head of legal services – after 22 years of service.
It was while serving as a Cambridgeshire police officer that the offences took place.
“Detectives from our specialist child abuse investigation team have secured justice for a woman abused more than 30 years ago,” said a spokesperson for Essex Police whose investigation secured the conviction.
Boyle was convicted in April of abusing the female between 1986 and 1991 when she was a teenager.
The victim reported what had happened to her in 2018 following an exchange of messages on social media.
“She told us Boyle’s abuse had left her feeling upset, ashamed, and guilty,” said the police spokesperson.
Following their investigation Boyle, of Sudbury Place, Edinburgh was convicted of two counts of rape when the girl was under the age of 16 and one of indecent assault following a trial at Cambridgeshire Crown Court.
At the same court yesterday, Boyle, was sentenced to 16 years in jail.
Police said of rapist James Boyle: “No court result will ever turn back time, but I hope this helps the victim move forward. She has been listened to and she has been believed. It is never too late to get justice.”
Judge Philip Grey said Boyle told his victim, at the time of a rape when she was under the age of 16: “I know this is wrong, but I just can’t help myself.”
The judge said that Boyle had lived a lie and that none of his “professional accolades” would have been available to him if he had been convicted at the time.
The victim told the court that because Boyle denied the offences, it had been for her “extremely distressing and harrowing”.
The judge told Boyle that “on your instructions” the victim was cross-examined for three days.
“You showed her no mercy then just as you had her at your mercy as a child,” he said.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Carla Hillyer said: “James Boyle’s abuse has had a significant impact on the victim, and I want to pay tribute to the bravery she has shown in coming forward and telling us what happened.
“At the time he was questioned in relation to the offences, Boyle was a trained defence barrister. He knew the system, and had support from many professional colleagues, providing character references in his defence.
“He denied the abuse he subjected the victim to ever happened.
“And yet the jury saw through this and found him guilty.
“No court result will ever turn back time, but I hope this helps the victim move forward.
“She has been listened to and she has been believed. It is never too late to get justice.”
DS Hillyer added: “I also want to highlight the work of Detective Constable Adam Clarke who has worked tirelessly on this case.
“I am pleased our efforts have resulted in Boyle’s conviction and justice for the victim.”
After leaving the Cambridgeshire force -with a long service medal, a good conduct medal and having been awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal – he moved to Scotland and became a barrister.
On LinkedIn, the business social media website, he described himself as having “considerable experience in law- enforcement and criminal advocacy as a practitioner.
“I also have significant experience of training in these areas. I would like to develop the training side of my practice at the moment”
He lists his most recent role as ‘barrister at law’ with Lothians and Borders Police, representing clients in the crown court and court of appeal.
