KARL JOHNSTON

NEWCASTLE MAN CONVICTED FOR ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES

Karl Johnston, a 31-year-old man from Beaconsfield Street in Newcastle, was caught attempting to send sexual messages to children through online decoy profiles.

He was first involved in a police sting in December, where he sent naked pictures of himself to what he believed was an underage girl.

While awaiting prosecution for these initial offenses, Johnston contacted another decoy profile targeting a supposed 14-year-old girl, demonstrating ongoing predatory behavior.

The court heard that Johnston's profile appeared as that of a 22-year-old woman, but in chat he claimed to be a 14-year-old boy from Newcastle, with messages quickly turning sexual.

Police identified him after he sent nude images and linked his account to his address.

Despite being arrested, he continued his attempts at contact while awaiting prosecution, engaging with another decoy set up by the Child Safety Online Team.

As a result, he was convicted of two counts of attempting to have sexual communications with a child and sentenced to one year in jail, suspended for two years.

Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

The court expressed that Johnston would need intensive work with the probation service to address his behavior.