Paedo Guilty Of Abuse Five Decades Ago

A Wiltshire man was convicted yesterday of repeatedly sexually abusing a young girl ten years his junior five decades ago when sneaking in to her bedroom after a night's drinking.

Robert Johnson, 67, of Chadwick Close, Bowerhill, Melksham was aged eighteen years-old when the abuse began at a former address in west London.

He was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court of one count of indecency with a child between August 19, 1969 and August 19, 1971 at the Perivale house.

Johnson, who now uses a walking stick, was also found guilty of two counts of indecently assaulting the girl, who was eight years-old when he molested her, between the same dates.

Following the three-day trial the jury reached their verdicts after four hours of deliberation.

Prosecutor Mr. Charles Royle told the court: “She recalls a pattern of behaviour when Mr. Johnson came back from the community club, having been drinking.

“He was eighteen years-old at the time and she was eight years-old and remembers him exposing himself to her when he came into her bedroom after the club and woke her up.”

The complainant says Johnson then forced her to perform intimate sexual acts on him.

“This behaviour continued on other occasions and the complainant would try and hide in the toilet,” explained Mr. Royle.

After a year she reported Johnson, but was a branded an “evil child” by those close to her, the jury were told.

However, she eventually made a statement to police and Johnson was arrested at his home on February 9, last year.

“He said the allegations were rubbish,” added Mr. Royle.

The jury were played the complainant's video-recorded police interview in which she tearfully recalled: “The first time it happened he came into my room, woke me up and said that he wanted me to touch him, which I did.

“I was a bit surprised and from that moment it progressed. He would come in and tell me to be quiet.

“He use'd to have a bit to drink and that's when he came up to me. I use'd to lock myself in the toilet.”

Johnson was bailed until October 4 for sentencing.