SCUNTHORPE PAEDOPHILE BENJAMIN JOHNSON SENTENCED FOR SICKENING CRIMES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Scunthorpe, Benjamin Johnson, also known by his previous surname Norrie, has been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous crimes committed against two young girls.Johnson, now 34 years old, first came to legal attention as a teenager when he was convicted for indecently assaulting a three-year-old girl.
Since then, his criminal record has grown extensively, marking him as a prolific offender with a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.
Johnson appeared at Grimsby Crown Court on a recent Monday to face sentencing for multiple serious offenses involving two young victims.
The court was informed that Johnson had concealed his prior convictions and criminal background from the mother of the children, whom he had sexually assaulted and who was also subjected to drugging by him.
The prosecution, led by Gordon Stables, detailed the extent of Johnson’s misconduct, revealing that his initial acts involved seemingly innocent gestures such as tickling the girls, both under the age of 13, before escalating to sexual assault.
Mr.
Stables explained that Johnson had been registered as a sex offender 37 times, highlighting the severity and frequency of his offenses.
The court heard that Johnson’s abusive behavior began with acts like tickling, toe-sucking, kissing, and stroking the girls’ legs, before he began asking for permission to touch them.
Disturbingly, he also wore a dressing gown with nothing underneath during some of these encounters.
At one point, he told one of the victims that if she were older, he would be with her, and he repeatedly asked for permission to touch her, which she refused.
One particularly frightening incident involved Johnson sitting with one of the victims and attempting to touch her.
Despite her initial refusal, after multiple requests, she eventually gave in, only to be called away from him.
As she moved away, Johnson followed her and touched her over her clothing.
At the time, Johnson was also wanted by Humberside Police for breaching his notification requirements, which mandated that he inform authorities of any changes in his circumstances.
Mr.
Stables further revealed that in April of the previous year, one of the girls confided in her sibling that Johnson had done something inappropriate to her, instructing her not to tell anyone.
The other girl disclosed this information to a family member, prompting Lincolnshire Police to become involved.
However, neither police force was aware that the other was investigating Johnson until he was eventually located after Humberside Police received a tip that he was seen in a Ford Fiesta in Scunthorpe.
Johnson was subsequently interviewed by Humberside Police on April 14 regarding his breach of the sex offender notification order, and again on April 16 concerning the allegations made by the girls.
He denied all eight charges brought against him, which included inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, four counts of sexual assault on a child, and supplying cannabis.
A trial commenced in March this year at Grimsby Crown Court, but Johnson pleaded guilty to all charges on the second day of proceedings.
Victims and their family members provided statements that painted a harrowing picture of the lasting impact of Johnson’s actions.
Both girls reported suffering from nightmares; one expressed that she is too afraid to shower alone because she sees Johnson’s face when she closes her eyes.
The other victim revealed that she has engaged in self-harm and is undergoing therapy to cope with the trauma inflicted by Johnson.
In light of these grave offenses, Judge Ahmed Nadim sentenced Johnson to six years in prison, with an additional two-year extended license period, resulting in a total sentence of eight years.
The judge emphasized the profound and ongoing damage caused to the victims, noting that they continue to suffer from nightmares and feelings of anger and upset, compounded by a lack of adequate support from their mother.
The court also highlighted Johnson’s apparent sexual interest in vulnerable children and ordered him to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, a restraining order, and lifetime registration on the sex offenders register.
