Sports coach found guilty of raping teenager

James Owen and his partner Ellen Rae were both found guilty of sexually assaulting the young woman

A sports coach has been found guilty of raping an 18-year-old woman at his home while his partner was present.

James Owen, 55, from Salisbury, was convicted of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and conspiracy to commit sexual assault, following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

His partner, Ellen Rae, 51, was also found guilty of sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual assault.

Owen has been remanded in custody and Rae was bailed ahead of their sentencing on 16 August at Salisbury Crown Court.

'Lured to his home'

During a nine-day trial, the court heard how Owen sexually assaulted the teenager during physical training sessions at his home between January and February 2021.

On another occasion, in February the same year, he raped the teenager in a hot tub at his home while Rae was present.

“James Owen used his position as a fitness coach to exploit a vulnerable teenage girl, by intimately touching her under the guise of exercising, this took place over a few weeks leading up to an incident where he lured the victim to his home address under false pretences, providing her with alcohol and later raping her in the presence of his partner Ellen Rae," Det Con Martyn Powell said.

“Rae played a key role in assisting Mr Owen, grooming the victim in the lead up to this incident.

“It takes great bravery to report incidents such as this to anyone, let alone the police. In this case the victim showed great courage in seeing this through over three years until trial."