BENJAMIN JOHNSON SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING IN NEWPORT AND CARDIFF

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Newport, a man named Benjamin Johnson, aged 39, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving a young girl and other women. The crimes took place across Newport and Cardiff, revealing a disturbing pattern of exploitation and abuse.

Johnson was convicted at Newport Crown Court of multiple serious charges, including the supply of heroin to a minor girl, procuring her into prostitution, living off her earnings, abducting her, and raping her. The jury, composed of seven men and five women, also found him guilty of raping another woman and living off her earnings. The victim, now aged 15, was introduced to heroin by Johnson when she was just 13 or 14 years old, a manipulation that led her into a life of prostitution and drug dependency.

Judge Philip Richards, presiding over the case, emphasized the danger Johnson poses to young women. He stated, "There is no doubt his conduct towards the girl was appalling. He befriended her when she was about 13, at most 14 years of age. He introduced her in my judgment to Class A drugs. He supplied her with heroin until she was addicted to that drug and had to continue shoplifting and resort to prostitution in order to fund the defendant."

Johnson was sentenced to life imprisonment for each count of rape, with the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, he received six years for each of the two counts of supplying heroin, also to run concurrently. For procuring the girl into prostitution and child abduction, he was sentenced to two years each, to run concurrently with the other sentences. Further, he was given four years for living off the earnings of the girl and two years for living off the earnings of a 22-year-old woman, with all sentences to run alongside the life terms.

During the sentencing, the victim’s mother was visibly distressed, tearfully describing Johnson as a "complete animal" and expressing her outrage at the lasting scars inflicted on her daughter. She said, "The scars he has left on my daughter mentally are so severe that no sentence is long enough for him. My little girl is crushed for the rest of her life. She has been destroyed. He is so sick and he has got his just desserts."

Johnson’s sister, also present in court, condemned him as an "evil animal," recounting how her sister wakes up screaming at night and remains terrified of Johnson’s actions.

At the court, Johnson, who had dreadlocks tied back in a long ponytail, initially refused to accept his guilt, shouting, "Your honour, there is no way I’m guilty of these charges. I would like to leave the court now." He was then taken down to the cells. The judge detailed the disturbing facts, including that Johnson injected the girl with heroin last May when she was 14, before taking her to Cardiff where she was forced into prostitution. He also took her to a flat in Penarth, near Cardiff, falsely claiming they were locked in by others, which she resisted.

Judge Richards stated, "She demanded to go home and resisted his advances. I’m satisfied she repeatedly said no and ultimately he raped her." The court heard that from her 14th birthday until May of the following year, Johnson had been living off her earnings, primarily working around the cattle market in Pill, Newport. His criminal history includes 13 previous convictions, including rape, grievous bodily harm with intent, and theft.

Furthermore, Johnson had befriended a 22-year-old woman earlier this year, later raping her and living off her earnings as a prostitute. The judge concluded that the evidence justified a life sentence, emphasizing the severity of his crimes and the danger he poses.

As part of his sentence, Johnson is banned for life from working with children and will be required to register as a sex offender upon release. Detective Constable Tracy Williams of Newport Central CID praised the bravery of the witnesses who testified, noting, "This case was particularly concerning because Benjamin Johnson has shown that he targeted the young and vulnerable in the hope that their credibility as witnesses would be questioned. We are therefore very pleased for the victims in this case that a guilty verdict has been reached. Giving evidence in any case can be a frightening thought and I have nothing but praise for all the witnesses for being brave enough to tell others what happened. Hopefully, their bravery will prevent a similar thing happening to others and they will be able to continue with their lives free from the fear of this dangerous man."