CALLUM JOHNSTON SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS FOR ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN ALVASTON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Alvaston, Derby Crown Court heard harrowing details about a man who exploited a 15-year-old girl, encouraging her to escape her home late at night for his own predatory purposes. The defendant, Callum Johnston, aged 24 and residing on Kean Place in Alvaston, was found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a minor and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison.

Johnston admitted to three counts of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16, with the incidents occurring in March of the previous year. The court was informed that at the time of the offenses, Johnston was residing at a resettlement hostel located in Allenton, where he began a relationship with the young girl. The relationship quickly turned abusive, with Johnston encouraging her to take dangerous late-night escapades from her home.

Prosecutor Dawn Pritchard detailed the disturbing sequence of events, revealing that Johnston had taken off the girl’s clothes at the hostel before engaging in sexual intercourse with her. During the act, Johnston reportedly asked her, “You’re only 15, aren’t you?” indicating a blatant disregard for her age and consent. The court heard that Johnston then persuaded her to obtain a mobile phone, which he used to contact her around 12:30 a.m. one night while her mother was asleep, urging her to sneak out of her house.

According to the prosecution, the girl followed Johnston’s instructions, dressing in dark clothes, climbing out of her bedroom window onto a conservatory, and meeting him outside. Johnston then took her to his room at the hostel, where they shared a meal before engaging in sexual activity once more, with Johnston removing her clothes again. The court was told that around 4 a.m., Johnston walked her back home, and she re-entered her house through the conservatory.

Despite the danger, Johnston persuaded her to repeat the risky behavior a few days later, encouraging her to escape her home once more for further sexual encounters. Witnesses described Johnston as being very intoxicated during this second late-night escape. On two of these occasions, he used a condom, but on the third, he did not.

When the girl eventually faced trouble and contacted Johnston via message, he responded coldly, telling her to “finish with her.” The girl later cooperated with police, revealing that she did not explicitly say no or yes during the sexual encounters, but she expressed that she liked Johnston. She also mentioned that Johnston suggested they meet once a month, believing that this would prolong their relationship.

Defense lawyer Keith Raynor argued that Johnston was not a predatory individual and emphasized that his client was a father of two who was now in a supportive relationship with a woman. He claimed that Johnston had helped her overcome depression and become a more confident person. Johnston himself admitted guilt, stating, “I should have known better. I am to blame, no-one else.”

Judge Andrew Hamilton delivered a stern sentence, condemning Johnston’s actions as exploitative and predatory. The judge stated, “You were just ringing up for sex effectively. You used her as a sex toy.” As part of his sentence, Johnston was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and was banned from working with children or being in the company of anyone under 18 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. The case highlights the serious consequences of exploiting vulnerable minors and serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding young people in the community of Alvaston.