MARTYN JOHNSON FROM SPALDING ACQUITTED IN CHILD INDECENT IMAGES CASE IN OXFORDSHIRE

In a case that drew significant attention in the legal community, Martyn Johnson, a 25-year-old resident of Spalding in Lincolnshire, was found not guilty of inciting a teenage girl to engage in sexual activity during a four-day trial held at Oxford Crown Court. The incident in question allegedly took place between January 1 and March 24 of the previous year, involving a girl from Oxfordshire who was only 15 years old at the time.

Prior to the commencement of the trial, Johnson had entered a guilty plea to three separate counts of possessing indecent images of a child. This plea was part of a broader legal process that highlighted the complex nature of the case, which involved both online interactions and the sharing of explicit material.

Prosecutor Iain Wicks outlined the case, explaining that Johnson and the complainant had established an online relationship at the end of 2012 through gaming platforms, specifically Xbox. Despite their online connection, the two never met in person. Wicks detailed that the teenage girl had sent Johnson nude photographs of herself, which he subsequently uploaded to his Blackberry Messenger profile. The prosecutor indicated that Johnson believed the girl was seeing someone else at the time, which contributed to his decision to share her images.

During the trial, the defense, led by Tony McGeorge, argued that Johnson genuinely believed the girl was 16 years old. McGeorge emphasized that Johnson's belief was based on the girl’s own statements claiming she was 16, as well as her appearance and behavior. He stated, “His case is that he believed she was 16 for a very good reason, and that reason is she told him she was 16.” The defense also pointed out that Johnson was not a person of high intelligence, suggesting that his actions were influenced by the information he received from the girl.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat acknowledged Johnson’s immaturity and noted that the online relationship was “bizarre” and had been encouraged by the complainant. However, she condemned the act of posting the girl’s pictures on the internet, describing it as “nasty, upsetting and distressing for her.”

Ultimately, Johnson was fined £500 and ordered to spend five years on the sex offenders’ register. Additionally, he was required to pay a £50 victims’ surcharge. The case highlighted the complexities of online relationships involving minors and the importance of understanding the legal boundaries surrounding digital interactions and the sharing of explicit images.