Niall Johnson

A Leeds chef has been sentenced to over eight years in prison for the repeated rape of a teenage girl he met through social media. Niall Johnson, aged 21 at the time of sentencing, was 18 when he committed the offences against the 16-year-old victim at his home in Seacroft. The case, heard at Leeds Crown Court, highlighted Johnson's disregard for the girl's clear lack of consent, as detailed in court proceedings reported by Leeds Live.

The pair had connected online and initially appeared to have no issues when the girl stayed over at Johnson's residence. However, Johnson's behaviour soon turned coercive. His Honour Judge Ray Singh described the sequence of events during the trial: 'At the time of the commission of the offences you were 18. You met after having started messaging on social media.' The judge noted that after a few days, Johnson touched and kissed the girl without consent. When she told him to stop, he dismissed her objections, instructing her to 'lie back and enjoy it'. Despite her repeated 'no's and attempts to move his hand, Johnson persisted until interrupted by noise in the house.

• On the first rape occasion, Johnson 'demanded sex' and, despite the girl's refusal, 'persuaded her and made suggestions to let it happen'.
• The second rape followed when Johnson 'got into a mood' after another refusal, pushing her onto the bed, holding her arm—leaving a bruise—and only stopping when her phone rang.

The victim disclosed the assaults to her parents and friends, leading to police involvement. West Yorkshire Police investigated, and following a trial last month, Johnson was convicted of one count of assault by penetration and two counts of rape. Prosecutor Clare Walsh presented a victim impact statement, revealing the profound trauma inflicted: 'What he did to her has changed her personality. She says before she was bubbly and energetic, and now has no motivation for anything... She doesn't like people touching her as it takes her back to what the defendant did.' The girl expressed fears for her safety upon Johnson's release, stating she believed he would 'come and find her and hurt her'.

In mitigation, defence barrister Nicholas Hammond referenced a pre-sentence report attributing Johnson's actions partly to a 'lack of maturity' at age 18, noting he had no prior offences and was employed as a chef. Hammond highlighted Johnson's remorse and desire to avoid reoffending, supported by character references. However, Judge Singh rejected excuses of immaturity, emphasising: 'You know what consent is and know when someone says 'no' and you continue that is not consent. Your offending has had an impact upon her and that is quite clear.'

Sentencing occurred on 2 October 2025 at Leeds Crown Court. Johnson must serve two-thirds of his term before release on licence, and he will be subject to the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely, along with a restraining order.