JACKIE JOHNSTON'S REIGN OF TERROR IN COUNTY DOWN: CHILD ABUSE AND VIOLENCE REVEALED

In July 2017, a disturbing case involving Jackie Johnston, a known figure from County Down with ties to loyalist paramilitary groups, came to light, exposing a long history of sexual abuse and violence that spanned over two decades. Johnston, who had previously served time for multiple sexual offences, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes that inflicted lasting trauma on his victims and their families.

It was revealed that Johnston's predatory behavior began in the late 1980s, with the first known incident occurring around 1987. One of his earliest victims, an 11-year-old girl, was subjected to a sexually transmitted infection after an assault that took place on the grounds of a school in North Down. The girl was sold for sex to another man, an act that was witnessed and reported by a staff member at the school. Medical tests confirmed that both Johnston and the young girl shared the same sexually transmitted infection, prompting police to pursue charges of child abuse against him. However, despite the evidence, prosecutors decided not to proceed with the case, a decision that allowed Johnston to continue his predatory activities for another ten years.

By 2005, Johnston was still actively abusing young girls, including raping a victim in that year. His violent and manipulative tactics extended beyond sexual abuse; he sought revenge on the girl who had revealed his crimes. His retaliation included vandalizing her family's property—slashing tires and smashing windows—creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the community.

Last week, Johnston was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of eight sexual offences against two women. The charges, which he pleaded guilty to in April, included two counts of gross indecency, two of unlawful carnal knowledge, and four counts of indecent assault, all committed between 1987 and 1994. His criminal record is extensive, including a previous 16-year sentence for a campaign of abuse against a young female victim, starting when she was just 10 years old and continuing into her twenties. Additionally, in February, Johnston was convicted of a rape committed in 2002, for which he received a further five-year sentence.

Two women, whose identities are protected, have spoken publicly about the profound impact Johnston's abuse has had on their lives. Beth, now 38, recounted her traumatic experiences, including her attempt at suicide at age 13, fleeing Northern Ireland for England, and enduring ongoing psychological scars. She described how Johnston, who had gained her trust, would appear at a youth club in Holywood, where he would abuse her behind the scenes. She detailed instances of forced unprotected sex, including one in a coal shed, and described how he would take her to perform sexual acts on stage at the Queen’s Hall in Holywood. Beth also revealed that Johnston had organized for her to have sex with other individuals, and when caught by a staff member at her school, the police became involved. Medical examinations confirmed that Johnston and Beth shared the same STI, but efforts to prosecute him were thwarted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and her parents' attempts to pursue private prosecution.

Beth expressed skepticism about Johnston’s recent apology, stating, “I’m not saying he ruined my life but he affected it. I still shower a couple of times a day. I have to feel clean. In court they said he was apologetic but that was only for the court.”

Clare, another survivor, also shared her harrowing story. Her abuse began in Holywood’s Queen’s Hall, where Johnston mistook her for Beth and assaulted her in the dark behind a curtain. She described how Johnston continued to target her, forcing her into drugs and sex acts, and how his threats to reveal her drug use kept her silent for years. Clare’s ordeal led to multiple suicide attempts, mental health struggles, and the breakdown of her marriage. She expressed relief that Johnston pleaded guilty, believing it spared her a lengthy trial, but also felt that the legal process was a step toward healing. She reflected on the emotional toll, saying, “I thought this would be the start of the rest of my life but some days I’m up and some days I’m down. My mum says it’s like grieving. I’ve spent so many years feeling guilty and vulnerable.”

In September 2014, Johnston’s criminal activities culminated in a 16-year prison sentence for a campaign of sexual abuse against a woman from Holywood. The abuse began when she was around ten years old and continued until her mid-20s, with Johnston exerting control over her through violence and intimidation. The court heard that Johnston treated her “almost as his plaything,” with persistent and predatory conduct that included rapes, assaults in parks, and forcing her to perform oral sex. The final assault occurred in December 2005, when Johnston, armed with two men holding baseball bats, visited her home, forced her into sex, and then dismissed the accomplices before raping her. Johnston’s history of violence and criminality, including 49 convictions, was highlighted during sentencing, with Judge Geoffrey Miller QC condemning his “directionless and feckless existence.”

Detective Inspector Richard Graham of the PSNI’s Public Protection Unit welcomed the sentence, emphasizing the importance of justice and encouraging victims to come forward. He stated, “The term of 16 years reflects the seriousness of the abuse endured by the victim, both as a child and as an adult. It also sends out a strong message to those involved in the abuse of children that we are determined to make them amenable for their crimes.” The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat sexual violence and protect vulnerable individuals in County Down and beyond.