BRIAN JOHNCOCK SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN WALLINGTON AND LEWES

In a case that has spanned several decades, Brian Johncock, a former teacher from Wallington, Sutton, was convicted of multiple serious sexual offences against a male victim. The legal proceedings culminated in a sentencing at Lewes Crown Court, where Johncock, aged 79, received a prison term of 12 years for his crimes.

The charges against Johncock included four counts of historic sexual assault and indecency. Despite maintaining his innocence and pleading not guilty, a jury found him guilty on Thursday, 15 August 2019, after a trial that revealed disturbing details of his misconduct. The court heard that Johncock was responsible for one count of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14, as well as additional counts of indecent assault on the same victim on at least four separate occasions. Furthermore, he was convicted of gross indecency with a boy under 16, with multiple counts indicating repeated offenses.

The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on Johncock and mandated that he be registered as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he posed to the public. The investigation uncovered that the abuse took place over a period spanning from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. During this time, Johncock, who was known to the victim, would meet him at his residence in Wallington, where the abuse was carried out.

It was revealed that the abuse began after Johncock targeted and groomed the victim, who was a student at the time. The grooming process and subsequent abuse persisted over several years, with the victim eventually reporting the crimes to the police in March 2017. The South Area Child Abuse Investigation Team launched a thorough investigation following the report.

Johncock was arrested on Friday, 24 March 2017, and subsequent charges were brought against him on Tuesday, 12 March 2019. The case highlights the importance of encouraging victims of sexual offences to come forward, regardless of how much time has passed, to ensure justice is served and to protect others from potential harm. Johncock’s passing in February 2022 marked the end of his life, but the legal repercussions of his actions continue to resonate within the community and the justice system.