ROBERT JOHNSON FROM KING'S NORTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE ATTEMPT IN BIRMINGHAM

In a case that has shocked the local community, Robert Johnson, a 70-year-old resident of Warrens End in Kings Norton, was sentenced to seven years in prison by Birmingham Crown Court for attempting to commit a heinous sexual assault on a seven-year-old boy. The incident, which took place during the summer of the previous year, involved Johnson befriending the young child and inviting him to stay at his flat, raising serious concerns about his motives and the safety of children in the area.

Judge Robert Orme, presiding over the case, addressed Johnson directly during the sentencing, stating, "You are 70 years of age but you have a quite appalling record in respect of committing offences on young boys." The judge highlighted Johnson's long history of sexual offenses, revealing that his criminal activities date back to 1952. Over the decades, Johnson had appeared before the courts on no fewer than seven occasions for sex offenses involving minors, underscoring a persistent pattern of predatory behavior.

During the trial, which concluded in December, Johnson was found guilty of attempted rape. The judge expressed his concern over Johnson's actions, noting that he had taken advantage of the trust placed in him by the child's parents, who, according to the court, may have been misled by Johnson's seemingly benign demeanor. "Goodness knows what their parents were thinking, though perhaps they were taken in by you," Judge Orme remarked.

The court heard that Johnson had exploited the opportunity to assault the young boy, who was compelled to testify about his traumatic experience in court. Despite the guilty verdict, Johnson continued to deny any involvement in the attempted rape, a stance that the judge described as another sad aspect of the case.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Orme referenced a probation officer’s report which characterized Johnson as a paedophile who perceives no harm in his actions and poses a significant risk to children. The report also noted Johnson’s poor health and the fact that he had recently lost his home, factors that the judge acknowledged but ultimately did not outweigh the need to protect children from further harm. "It is your continuing power to corrupt young children I have to guard against," the judge emphasized, underscoring the seriousness with which the court viewed Johnson’s predatory tendencies and the ongoing threat he posed to the community.