A MAN FROM WIGAN HAS BEEN JAILED AFTER HE SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN BETWEEN 1991 AND 2018
A man convicted of the sexual abuse of three young girls over a period of more than 20 years has been sentenced to serve 22 years and six months in prison.Dennis Johnson, aged 58 and residing on Manchester Road in Westhoughton, appeared for sentencing via a video link from prison at the Nightingale Court held at the University of Bolton Stadium.
Judge Graeme Smith sentenced Johnson to the term, along with an additional year on licence.
Following a trial, Johnson was found guilty of 21 separate charges, including rape, sexual assault, causing actual bodily harm, and witness intimidation.
The offences occurred in the Wigan area and resulted in Johnson being subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.
The allegations against Johnson came to light in September 2018 when social services alerted police after a young girl disclosed that Johnson had been touching her.
Soon after, it was uncovered that Johnson had also abused two other girls between 1991 and 2004.
These victims were as young as four years old when the abuse began, and it continued into their mid-teens.
Johnson repeatedly assaulted the girls sexually, and in one case, he raped one girl multiple times.
In addition, the court heard that Johnson had also sexually abused a young boy in the 1990s, forcing the child to perform a sex act on him.
Judge Smith remarked, “Their trauma is real, deep, and long-lasting.
It is impossible to hear the statements made by those you abused without feeling deeply moved.” The judge further described Johnson as “a violent, controlling man with no regard to the effects of his actions on others,” emphasizing that the trial presented a detailed picture of his abusive behavior.
During the proceedings, Johnson attempted to deny the allegations, claiming that his accusers and their families had conspired against him for financial gain, fabricating evidence and influencing witnesses.
Judge Smith dismissed this defense, stating, “You not only denied all of the allegations against you, but you effectively created your own alternative narrative, in which you were the victim.” He added that the overwhelming evidence and Johnson's false accusations likely exacerbated the victims’ trauma.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Karen Dewhurst commented, “The sexual exploitation of children is abhorrent, and Johnson's despicable abuse lasted for years.
I want to commend the bravery of all four of Johnson’s victims, whose courage and support were crucial in securing this conviction.” She also expressed hope that the lengthy sentence offers some closure for the victims, stating, “Although this sentence can never undo the harm inflicted, it provides reassurance that Johnson will be detained for over 22 years.” GMP emphasized their commitment to prosecuting child sexual exploitation in all its forms.
They urged anyone affected by such crimes to contact the police, assuring that reports will be handled with respect and sensitivity.
An NSPCC spokesperson highlighted the severity of the case, calling it “a sustained and sickening campaign of abuse spanning decades,” and praised the victims’ bravery in coming forward.
They warned that child sexual abuse can have devastating, long-lasting effects and encouraged anyone who has been abused to seek support, reinforcing that offenders like Johnson must be brought to justice.
