James Briggs – Grimsby

A pervert who plied a group of girls with drugs before sexually assaulting one of them has been jailed.

James Briggs, aged 42 of Coniston Avenue, Grimsby, was found guilty at Exeter Crown Court on July 6 of sexual assault on a child under 13.

Briggs had also previously pleaded guilty to six counts of offering to supply and supplying a controlled class B drug – ketamine.

The court heard how Briggs had sexually assaulted the girl in East Devon in 2023.

The girl bravely came forward to police to report the incident which resulted in Briggs being arrested and his mobile phone seized.

Examination of his phone showed that Briggs had recently purchased ketamine and videos evidenced children being under the influence of drugs.

In interview, Briggs stated he had been speaking with the girl in relation to her mental health issues and she had become upset. He denied sexual offending.

Briggs was sentenced on Friday, July 17 and was given a prison sentence of four years and nine months, was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and made subject to a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.