James Gilbert
Introduction
James Gilbert, a 26-year-old originally from the UK who was working in Guernsey as a bus driver, was jailed for 15 years and six months for six sexual offences against four women, three of whom were aged 15 and 16 . In the Royal Court he admitted three counts of rape, two of sexual touching of children and one of sexual assault, all committed between April and October 2025; sentencing him on 13 November 2026, Judge Catherine Fooks said he posed “a serious and concerning risk to girls and women” .
Background Information
Gilbert had come from the UK and was working in the island as a bus driver when the offences took place . The court heard he met his victims on his bus route, and Judge Fooks said he used his position of trust as a bus driver to target the girls . Between June and October 2025, advocate Liam Roffey told the court, Gilbert met a 16-year-old girl while she was travelling on his route, and the two continued to chat on social media; she said she came to trust him and that he bought her things .
The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation
Convicted: admitted all six offences.
In April 2025 he arranged to meet one of his 15-year-old victims while she was intoxicated on his bus, took her to Jerbourg and sexually touched her. Between June and October 2025 he raped the 16-year-old he had met through his route on three occasions — once orally — at his home. Later that year, another 15-year-old girl he had previously been in contact with on social media travelled on his bus; she described how, after they both left the bus, she was forced to hug him before he sexually touched her. The sixth offence was against an adult woman, whom Gilbert slapped on the behind at her workplace before attempting to add her on social media. In statements read to the court, two of the younger victims described how their lives and view of the world had changed — one said no amount of therapy could undo what had happened, another described scrubbing her skin to wash away the memories .
Public Reaction and Consequences
Sentencing Gilbert, Judge Catherine Fooks told him: “You have submitted three victims, two of whom were under 16, to five terrifying deeds. You have hurt them, they are forever altered and scarred.” “Children and young women should be free to catch a bus without being preyed on by a sexual predator trying to meet his own selfish needs, regardless of the physical and psychological harm,” she said. “You pose a serious and concerning risk to girls and women, and in sentencing you we are focused on punishment and protection of the public from the significant risks you pose.” She commended the bravery of the victims, particularly the young women, in coming forward. Advocate Candy Fletcher requested full credit for the guilty pleas, which spared his victims a trial and further distress; she said Gilbert accepted full responsibility, expressed remorse and felt shame about his offending, that he had had a difficult upbringing but was of previous good character with no previous convictions, and that a letter to the court said he had become a person he never wanted to be .
In response to the case, a Stagecoach spokesman said it would not be appropriate to comment further, adding: “The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and colleagues is our highest priority and we take any concerns of this nature very seriously” .
Current Status
Gilbert is serving a total sentence of 15 years and six months imposed on 13 November 2026: nine years and six months for each of the rape charges, served concurrently; two years and nine months for the sexual touching charges, served consecutively; and a further six months for the sexual assault. He was also made subject to a 10-year extended sentence licence and a 15-year notification requirement .
Impact on Their Career/Life
At sentencing the BBC described Gilbert as a former bus driver: at 26, with no previous convictions, he is now a convicted sexual offender whose victims included girls of 15 and 16, and his working life on the island’s buses is over . The 10-year extended sentence licence keeps him under supervision after release, and the 15-year notification requirement obliges him to keep his details with police for 15 years. His guilty pleas spared the four women the distress of a trial .