Derek Johnson, a 59-year-old man from Gloucestershire, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing multiple teenage girls. Johnson pleaded guilty to 16 sex offences involving children aged between 13 and 16, during a case that revealed disturbing details of grooming, abuse, and manipulation.
Johnson exploited vulnerable girls, some as young as 13, and went to great lengths to groom them, including contacting one victim on the social media platform Tumblr when she was just 14. This victim described how Johnson met her in person after about a month of online communication, taking her to a hotel where he committed several offences. He later moved closer to continue abusing her for two more years.
The court heard harrowing accounts from victims who bravely shared their experiences. One victim detailed the severe mental health struggles that followed the abuse, including multiple suicide attempts and a diagnosis of PTSD. She said, “I cannot look at myself in a mirror because I see every scar this monster gave me, both physically and mentally.”
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Another victim recalled the constant fear Johnson instilled in her, stating she felt trapped and under threat of violence. One girl, aged 13 at the time, was raped in a secluded woodland area on Dartmoor after Johnson took her phone to isolate her and threatened to expose her to her family if she stopped contact.
Johnson recorded his abuse and even documented his offences in a calendar app on one of his devices, reflecting the calculated nature of his crimes. After police intensified their investigation, Johnson fled the country, attempting to evade arrest. He was eventually extradited back to England to face justice.
At Gloucester Crown Court, the judge condemned Johnson’s actions, highlighting the extreme cruelty inflicted upon the victims. “These are the worst offences imaginable against children of this age,” Judge Rupert Lowe stated. The judge expressed skepticism over Johnson’s remorse, noting the lack of genuine acknowledgment of the harm caused.
In addition to his prison term, Johnson must serve a minimum of 10 years before being eligible for release and has been given an extended licence period of five years. He was also issued an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and several restraining orders protecting his victims.
Detective Inspector Simon Goodenough condemned Johnson’s conduct, emphasizing his dangerous nature and the lengths he went to groom and abuse children across the country. Detective Sergeant Bernadette Harding praised the victims for their courage in supporting the prosecution.
The Crown Prosecution Service also recognized the significant role the victims' reports played in securing Johnson’s conviction and expressed gratitude to the families affected.
Authorities urge anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to seek support, affirming that victims are never to blame for the crimes committed against them.