MATTHEW JOHNSON FROM TORQUAY SENTENCED FOR ABUSING EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN SHOCKING CRIME
A man identified as Matthew Johnson, aged 30, from Market Street in Torquay, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl.The court described his actions as an 'unforgivable' crime that has profoundly affected the young victim.
During the hearing at Exeter Crown Court, it was revealed that Johnson's assault left the girl emotionally devastated.
The court was met with emotional testimony from the victim’s mother, who described the devastating impact of the crime on her daughter.
She stated, “Prior to my daughter being sexually assaulted, she was a very happy, outgoing girl.
Now she is an emotional wreck.
She now receives counselling and has turned into a girl who does not like going outside.
She is always frustrated and angry and lashes out both physically and verbally.
She had told me she does not want to be here anymore and has thoughts about killing herself.
I am devastated about seeing my little girl turned into an emotional wreck.” Public sentiment was clear as members of the gallery shouted 'scum' as Johnson was led away from the dock to the cells.
The defendant had initially denied the charges but changed his plea after new forensic and medical evidence was presented by the prosecution.
Prosecutor Rachel Drake outlined the disturbing details of the case, explaining that Johnson had encouraged the young girl to play a game with him before assaulting her.
When she asked him to stop, he refused.
The girl was subjected to two police interviews and a medical examination, but Johnson’s guilty plea meant that the case did not proceed to a full trial where she would have had to testify.
During police interviews, Johnson initially denied any wrongdoing.
However, authorities discovered that he had searched his computer for topics such as ‘what police would need to prove to prove he was a paedophile,’ along with other searches related to underage boys and girls, indicating premeditation and awareness of his actions.
The victim’s mother expressed her anguish, saying, “I’ve never felt so low and emotionally drained.
I feel I am constantly living on the edge.
This has had a lifelong effect on my daughter.” Judge Recorder Martin Meeke QC acknowledged Johnson’s guilty plea, giving him a 25 percent reduction in his sentence.
He described Johnson as a man of previous good character who took advantage of a situation where he was alone with the victim.
The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, “It was an appalling thing to do to any child.
It is unforgivable.
Your conduct has caused significant psychological damage to your victim, as shown in her personal statement.” Johnson was convicted of assaulting a female under 13 by penetration.
His sentence includes serving half of the four-and-a-half-year term in custody, with the remaining time on licence.
Additionally, the judge imposed a further one-year extension to the licence period upon his release.
Johnson was also ordered to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which bans him from contact with children, and he will be registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register to monitor his activities moving forward.
