SCOTT JOHNSON FROM ROCKINGHAM SENTENCED AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL IN ROTHERHAM BUS

In May 2019, a disturbing incident involving a passenger on a bus in Rotherham has come to light, highlighting the serious issue of sexual misconduct in public transport. Scott Johnson, aged 29 and residing on Town Lane in Rockingham, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl during a bus journey in September 2017. The assault occurred while Johnson was traveling home from work, and the incident has left a lasting impact on the young victim.

According to court reports, Johnson sat directly behind the teenage girl and, through a gap between the seats, inappropriately touched her by placing his hand on her hip. The judge described this experience as “a horrible ordeal,” emphasizing the distress caused to the young girl. The incident was witnessed by the court through the testimony and evidence presented during the trial.

On the day of sentencing, Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard that Johnson received a 22-week prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. District Judge Paul Healey addressed Johnson directly, acknowledging the trauma inflicted upon the victim. He stated, “She sits down first and you sat behind her and she’s uncomfortable with regard to your behaviour. She had a hunch that something was wrong. During the course of the journey, through a gap in the seat, you touched her in the hip area.”

The court also noted that after the girl disembarked from the bus, Johnson followed her off at the same stop. Johnson claimed there was no malicious intent behind his actions, but the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, expressed her feelings in a statement read aloud in court. She said, “When I catch the bus now I make sure I catch it with other people. I don’t think it’s nice what he’s done — he makes me feel very uncomfortable. I want to make sure he doesn’t do this to anyone else.”

Initially, Johnson pleaded not guilty to the charge of sexual assault. However, on the first day of his trial, he changed his plea to guilty. The judge explained that he had considered imposing an immediate jail sentence but decided against it due to Johnson’s family circumstances. Nonetheless, he warned Johnson that if he committed similar offences again, he would face imprisonment.

As part of his sentence, Johnson was ordered to complete a rehabilitation program, undertake 120 hours of unpaid work, and be subject to up to 30 days of supervision with the probation service. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of seven years and was ordered to pay costs amounting to £500. The case underscores the importance of safeguarding young individuals from sexual misconduct and highlights the legal consequences faced by offenders in such cases.