WHITEHAVEN MAN CALLUM JOHNSTONE SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN WHITEHAVEN AND ST JAMES’ PARK

A judge in Carlisle delivered a stern warning regarding the disturbing social media posts that supported a predatory individual from Whitehaven, Callum Johnstone, who was convicted of raping a vulnerable 16-year-old girl. The court's condemnation extended beyond the crime itself, highlighting concerns over the online messages that appeared to sympathize with the offender and potentially encourage further misconduct.

Following a trial at Carlisle Crown Court last month, 29-year-old Callum Johnstone was found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting the teenage girl in Whitehaven’s St James’ Park. The judge, Nicholas Barker, sentenced Johnstone to a significant term of imprisonment and emphasized the importance of addressing the harmful social media activity that accompanied the case. He explicitly stated that consideration should be given to prosecuting those who posted supportive or sympathetic messages about the defendant, viewing such conduct as deplorable and damaging.

The court heard that the incident occurred after the girl had gone out with friends on an evening in August 2022. CCTV footage from a local bar in Whitehaven showed her in a visibly intoxicated state, often stumbling, slumped over tables, and falling asleep. Witnesses confirmed her extreme level of drunkenness, yet Johnstone denied that he targeted her because of her condition. Despite his claims, the evidence and jury verdict made it clear that he had taken advantage of her vulnerability.

At the bar, witnesses observed Johnstone sitting close to the girl as the night progressed. At one point, he was warned that she was only 16 and clearly intoxicated, and was advised to leave her alone. Johnstone claimed he was merely “looking out for her,” but the court found this explanation unconvincing. As the evening drew to a close and the girl became separated from her friends, Johnstone took her to St James’ Park, where he committed the assault.

During the proceedings, prosecutor Tim Evans read statements from both the girl and her mother. The girl expressed her fear and distress over the social media comments that followed the case, which made her feel scared of judgment and disbelief. She revealed that her confidence had been shattered since the attack, and despite efforts to distract herself, the trauma persisted. She stated, “I can’t walk anywhere alone anymore,” highlighting the lasting impact of the assault.

The prosecutor detailed her ongoing emotional struggles, including her fears of encountering someone from Johnstone’s family. The girl’s mother described the attack as a life-changing event that had devastated their family. She lamented that the once quiet and confident girl had been lost, replaced by a broken individual. The mother also mentioned her son’s regret for losing sight of the victim that night outside the pub, as he wanted to protect her. She expressed hope that Johnstone would come to understand the gravity of his actions and that the case might inspire other victims to come forward and report sexual assaults.

Social media comments about the case, including claims of Johnstone’s innocence, were described as “disgusting” by the prosecutor. He emphasized that the victim was particularly vulnerable due to her personal circumstances and her intoxication, which severely impaired her ability to make free choices. The social media posts, he argued, were not only deplorable but also dangerous, as they appeared to sympathize with a predator and could encourage similar behavior.

Even Johnstone’s defense lawyer acknowledged the reprehensible nature of the social media comments. The lawyer pointed out that Johnstone was 26 at the time of the offence, an age when neurological development is still ongoing, which might have influenced his behavior. Nonetheless, the court’s focus remained on the seriousness of the crime and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory conduct in public spaces like Whitehaven and St James’ Park.