BRIAN JOHNSTON SENTENCED IN HAZLEMERE FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has spanned over two decades, Brian William Johnston, aged 68 and residing in Copes Shroves, Hazlemere, has been sentenced to a seven-year prison term after pleading guilty to a series of serious sexual offenses committed more than 20 years ago.

Johnston faced the court at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday, where he admitted to one count of indecency with a child and six additional counts of indecent assault involving children. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in the early 1980s, a period during which the victims, now adults, came forward to police to seek justice for the abuse they endured as minors.

One of the victims, in a heartfelt statement, expressed the long-lasting impact of Johnston’s actions, saying, "I have lived in shame and humiliation. The suffering did not stop when he stopped." This statement underscores the enduring emotional scars inflicted by Johnston’s misconduct, which has haunted the victims for years.

During the sentencing hearing, Johnston, a retired salesman, expressed concern that his imprisonment might cause financial hardship for his wife, who is reportedly suffering from depression. He feared that his incarceration could lead to the suspension of his state pension, thereby affecting her financial stability. However, Judge Terence Maher was clear in his response, emphasizing that Johnston’s concerns did not outweigh the gravity of his crimes.

Judge Maher stated, "It was simply a consequence of your actions that your wife might face difficulties. If you had not behaved in this way, your victims would not have endured 20 years of emotional suffering." The judge further remarked that Johnston, as a pensioner, was about to go to prison, and that his wife’s suffering was a direct result of his choices, which he must accept as part of the consequences.

Addressing the nature of the offenses, Judge Maher noted, "This misconduct spanned several years, and it appears it took you a long time to realize that what you were doing was wrong. These are historic offenses, and the period over which they occurred was approximately two years. The victims have had to live with the stress, shame, and human suffering caused by your actions."

Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan explained that the victims had only recently come forward to report the abuse, leading to Johnston’s arrest and subsequent prosecution. The defense, represented by Sarah Fawcett, acknowledged Johnston’s remorse, stating, "He realized in the early 1980s that what he had done was wrong. He described it as suddenly coming to his senses. He cannot explain why he acted as he did, but he has carried a burden of guilt for 20 years."

As part of his sentence, Johnston has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm. The case highlights the importance of victims coming forward, even many years after the offenses, to seek justice and hold offenders accountable for their actions.