Former Met special constable who groomed then raped girl and woman jailed for 24 years

A Metropolitan Police special constable who raped a girl and a woman after “systematically” grooming them both online has been jailed for 24 years.James Bubb, who now identifies as a woman named Gwyn Samuels, first sexually assaulted the girl when she was just 12 years old after befriending her online in 2018, the trial at Aylesbury Crown Court was told last year.The 28-year-old was also found guilty of raping a woman who the defendant first met online while posing as a 16-year-old girl, when the victim was 18.On Friday, Samuels, a former volunteer special constable, was sentenced to 32 years, made up of 24 years’ imprisonment and a further eight years on extended licence.In his sentencing remarks the judge, Jonathan Cooper, said: “You abused the most intimate trust of each of your victims. In each case you systematically groomed your victim, first to befriend them, then to abuse them, finally to bend them to your will.”Throughout the trial the defendant was referred to by their biological sex but during the first sentencing hearing last week, the judge said that since they have transitioned, they should be known by their new identity of Gwyn Samuels.The judge said he understands the defendant, who has been in the male prison estate while in custody, will remain there.Cooper said: “The key point is that you are a very significant risk to women. This is not predicated on your trans status, but on your criminal status.”The officer befriended the girl on the chat site Omegle in 2018 before meeting in person for the first time at a Christian festival a few months later.The defendant was a volunteer steward at the event, while the victim was wearing a colour-coded child’s wristband to indicate her age. Samuels sexually assaulted the girl at the event shortly before her 13th birthday, the trial heard.Later the defendant raped and sexually abused her, the trial heard.The victim told police the defendant choked and punched her. She also said the defendant spoke “a lot about the powers he had” as an officer in the Met.The court heard that Samuels befriended his second victim online while posing as a 16-year-old girl. The defendant was convicted of raping her during a subsequent on-off relationship between January 2018 and February 2023.Samuels was found guilty of one count of raping a child under 13, one count of sexual activity with a child, one count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of assault by penetration. They were also found guilty of one count of rape against the second victim.A lifelong sexual harm prevention order, banning them from contacting young women, was also imposed against Samuels.Paul Robson, a lawyer from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The defendant had clearly sought to attain positions of trust within the community to gain the trust of the victims and the people around them.“The offending has had a profound effect on the victims, and we are very grateful to them for their unwavering support throughout this prosecution.”The investigating officer, DS Kirsty Pendle, said: “We keep an open mind as to whether Gwyn Samuels, formerly known as James Bubb, has committed any other offences.“If you have any information about this defendant, please contact us quoting Operation Aspect. You can visit a police station, call 101, or leave details via our website.”