JOHNSON IN REDHILL SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING INDECENT PHOTOGRAPHS IN BRIGHTON

In January 1998, a court in Redhill convicted Johnson, a housemaster, of possessing indecent photographs of young boys. The magistrates ordered Johnson to register as a convicted paedophile with police in Brighton, inform them of any change of address, and notify other police forces if he planned to stay away from home for more than 14 days.

Johnson had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing on December 15 to four charges related to the possession of indecent images of children.

Steve Ash, representing the Crown Prosecution Service, explained that the photographs were uncovered after anonymous letters were sent to both the headmaster of the Yehudi Menuhin School and Leatherhead police, accusing Johnson of being homosexual and having a preference for young males. The letters also labeled Johnson’s teaching position as scandalous.

Mr. Ash noted that Johnson was cooperative during the investigation. Police found no evidence of inappropriate material in his school residence, but he admitted possessing pornographic material at his private home at 37 Kensington Place, Brighton. A police search at his Brighton home uncovered photographs that Johnson had purchased from a local shop, along with notebooks containing sexual fantasies. Johnson described these notebooks as a sort of "safety valve."

The police described the collection of items as a "shrine to young boys," with many items of a pornographic nature found at his residence.

Linda Filby, Johnson’s solicitor, stated that Johnson had fully admitted the charges and cooperated with police investigations. She emphasized that he had no prior convictions and that the probation service recommended he complete community service.

Ms. Filby provided Johnson’s employment background, noting that he had worked at Frensham Heights School for several years as an assistant house master for 11 years, and at the Yehudi Menuhin School for nine years—living there for over eight years and serving six years as house master. She added that he only left his position when a co-educational unit was established, although he continued to teach there.

No allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behavior have been made against Johnson by pupils, staff, or anyone else connected to his teaching at either school.

She explained that the alleged pornographic material originated from magazines Johnson purchased openly in Brighton, asserting that he was unaware it was illegal to possess such material. Had he known, he would have disposed of it. She described these items as part of his past use.

Ms. Filby highlighted that Johnson has lost a career spanning over 20 years, a career he cherished dearly, and pointed out that he was highly regarded by schools and students, as reflected in numerous testimonials.

She described his working environment at the small facility with only three full-time residential carers, emphasizing that Johnson led by example and was always under scrutiny.

The magistrates acknowledged that there was no evidence of inappropriate conduct or intent to distribute the material. As a result, Johnson was sentenced to community service.

Finally, Miss Filby mentioned that Johnson was finding it difficult to secure new employment and hoped to work caring for the elderly in the future.