JOHN JOHNSTONE FROM POLMONT AND SLEAFORD SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE AND ABUSE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the communities of Polmont and Sleaford, John Johnstone, a 50-year-old former soldier, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse and rape of a young girl. The court heard that the abuse spanned nearly a decade, beginning when the victim was just two years old and continuing until she was 11, with incidents taking place at various locations including houses and a park in Polmont and in Bo’ness.

Johnstone’s criminal actions came to light after the victim, now a woman aged 38, took the extraordinary step of recording conversations with her abuser in 2015. She visited a house where Johnstone was present and covertly recorded their interactions, with her phone hidden in her back pocket. These recordings proved pivotal in securing his conviction.

During the first recording, Johnstone expressed remorse, stating, “I was so wrong and I know I was wrong. That’s why I left.” The victim later confronted him directly, asking him to clarify what he had done to her. In response, Johnstone admitted, “He did actually say he had sexual intercourse with me on numerous occasions.” The victim explained that she had later disclosed everything to a family doctor, who encouraged her to report the abuse to the authorities, leading to the criminal proceedings.

At the trial held at the High Court in Edinburgh in March, Johnstone denied the charges, claiming that his apologies were related to a different incident. When questioned about his remorse, he admitted to kissing the girl inappropriately when he was around 18 years old, describing it as a moment of self-disgust. He insisted that he had no sexual contact with her beyond that.

The court was shown evidence of the extensive abuse, including molestation, exposure, and coercion into sexual acts. The victim recounted that during oral sex, Johnstone had held her by the hair and became increasingly aggressive over time. She described feeling pinned down during her first rape and crying out in distress. She also revealed that the abuse often occurred when she was left alone with Johnstone, who had babysat her on occasion. She expressed that she had begun to realize the wrongfulness of his actions as she grew older.

Her testimony detailed how the abuse started during visits to Johnstone’s former home in Bo’ness, where he would stand in his bedroom doorway and offer her pennies from a piggy bank in exchange for kisses. The victim stated that the abuse ceased when Johnstone left to join the Army. Despite speaking to adults about her experiences as a child, she received little support, which compounded her trauma.

The recordings played in court revealed Johnstone’s remorse and shame, with him acknowledging his wrongdoing. The victim’s decision to record these conversations was driven by a desire for closure, and her subsequent report to authorities was influenced by her family doctor’s advice.

Judge Michael O’Grady QC condemned Johnstone’s actions, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. He stated, “The depravity, wickedness and dreadful breach of trust which this charge represents are all too clear. So too is the damage you have done to a child and the woman she has become.” The judge underscored that only a significant custodial sentence could adequately reflect the severity of the offenses, and he rejected a plea for bail, indicating that Johnstone would serve a lengthy prison term after sentencing, which was scheduled for next month following a background report.

Johnstone, who resides on Alexandra Road in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, was also placed on the sex offenders register as part of his sentence. The court’s decision highlights the profound impact of his crimes on the victim’s life and the community’s demand for justice in this deeply disturbing case.