MARK JOHNS FROM DEVONPORT SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD RAPE CASE

In a case that has shocked the community of Devonport, a man named Mark Johns has been sentenced to an indefinite prison term after admitting to the heinous crime of raping a young boy. The incident came to light during a court hearing at Plymouth Crown Court, where the details of the case were thoroughly examined and the severity of the offense was made clear.

According to court records, Mark Johns, aged 23 and residing on Marlborough Street in Devonport, was left in charge of a young boy on August 20 of the same year. During this period, Johns engaged in a series of actions that would lead to his arrest and conviction. Initially, he contacted the boy’s mother, claiming that her child had sustained an accidental injury. This call was followed by a second call approximately two hours later, in which Johns reported that the boy had gone to bed and was refusing to eat.

However, the boy’s mother became increasingly concerned when her son refused to allow her to examine him. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, she decided to take her child to Derriford Hospital’s accident and emergency department for medical assessment. The attending medical staff quickly recognized that the boy was in significant pain, to the extent that a thorough examination was initially impossible. As a result, the boy was kept in the hospital overnight for observation and further evaluation.

The following day, medical professionals administered a general anesthetic to facilitate a detailed examination. A consultant paediatrician conducted the assessment and uncovered multiple lacerations and internal injuries that could not have been caused by the accidental injury Johns had described. The findings led to the conclusion that the injuries were consistent with sexual assault, a revelation that prompted immediate legal action.

Mark Johns was subsequently arrested by police. During police interviews, he expressed remorse, stating, “I regret what I have done; I’ve not been myself lately.” When questioned further, Johns admitted that he had developed a sexual interest in children approximately five months prior to the incident. His admission was a pivotal moment in the case, leading to his formal charges.

In court, Johns’ legal representative argued that his client was genuinely remorseful and wished to seek help for his issues. Despite this, Judge Francis Gilbert QC reviewed psychiatric and Probation Service reports and concluded that Johns posed a significant danger to the public. The judge emphasized the gravity of the case, noting that if Johns had been found guilty at trial, he would have faced a sentence of 21 years in prison.

Ultimately, Johns pleaded guilty to the charge of raping a child under the age of 13. The court sentenced him to an indefinite sentence for public protection, with a minimum term of seven years. This means that after serving the minimum period, Johns will be subject to assessments to determine whether he remains a threat to society or if he can be considered for release. Additionally, the court imposed a lifelong Sexual Offences Prevention Order to restrict his future activities and protect the community.

Outside the courtroom, prosecutor David Gittins described the case as one of the most severe he has encountered, stating, “This is one of the worst cases of its kind I have ever had to deal with.” The community of Devonport and the wider public are left to grapple with the implications of this disturbing case, which underscores the importance of vigilant safeguarding and justice for victims of sexual abuse.