ANDREW JOHNSTONE'S SHOCKING CRIME IN BARNSTAPLE AND ILFRACOMBE: VICTIM'S RECORDED TESTIMONY REVEALS HORRIFIC ABUSE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through North Devon, Andrew Johnstone, a resident of Barnstaple, was sentenced to a decade behind bars after being convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving a young girl. The victim, who was only 13 years old at the time, managed to record a crucial conversation with Johnstone, which ultimately played a pivotal role in securing his conviction.

The incident took place near Ilfracombe, where Johnstone had taken the girl back to his farm, specifically to a property at High View, West Down. At that time, she was in the care of local authorities, a circumstance that added layers of complexity to the case. The girl was so deeply traumatized by her experience that she kept her ordeal secret for three years. It was only when Johnstone re-established contact with her after his release from prison that she found the courage to come forward.

Johnstone, aged 44, was found guilty after a jury at Exeter Crown Court listened to a recording made by the girl. In this recording, Johnstone is heard asking her to spend the night with him, a request that the court deemed to be part of a pattern of predatory behavior. The victim’s testimony revealed that she was working briefly at a chip stall where Johnstone was also employed. The assault occurred after he took her to his bungalow, which was unoccupied at the time because his wife was at work.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Johnstone denied any sexual activity had taken place. His defense argued that the girl’s claims were influenced by her teenage hormones and emotional instability. They claimed that the recording was taken out of context and did not accurately reflect what transpired. However, the jury was convinced by the evidence, including the victim’s detailed account and the recording.

Following his conviction, Johnstone was sentenced to ten years in prison. As he was led away from the courtroom, he shouted “Injustice” in protest. The judge, Recorder Mr. Martin Meeke, addressed him directly, stating, “You are a fraudster from way back but these are completely different matters. You have been convicted on the plainest evidence of raping this 13-year-old girl. An aggravating feature is the damage that you have done to her. Her victim impact statement is poignant. It says the biggest effect is that it made her unable to trust anyone or tell anyone about what you did until she was 16.”

The court heard that after Johnstone’s release from prison, he began making advances towards the girl again, sending her presents and attempting to rekindle a relationship. The girl, now 16, feared that Johnstone’s intentions were sexual, especially after she received texts that suggested he was about to make a more overt move. To protect herself, she recorded a conversation in which Johnstone asked her to spend the night with him while he was driving her to a nail appointment. Johnstone claimed that no sexual activity occurred and that the recording was misinterpreted. His defense team argued that the girl was emotionally troubled at the time of her allegations.

In her closing remarks, Miss Louise Sweet, representing the prosecution, emphasized that the offenses took place over just four days and involved no threats, violence, or weapons. She highlighted that Johnstone had no previous convictions of a similar nature. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of the crimes and the lasting impact on the victim, who struggled with trust and emotional well-being following her ordeal.