Matthew Johnston

Matthew Johnston, a 49-year-old man from Haynes Close in Tottenham, London, has been convicted of multiple child sex offences following a grooming and abuse campaign that spanned several years. The abuse began in 2014 in Littlehampton, West Sussex, where Johnston targeted a young boy who was just four years old at the time. Johnston, a regular attendee at ComiCon-style events, exploited his interest in Star Wars and superheroes to build a relationship with the victim, using these themed gatherings as a means to groom him.

Over the subsequent years, Johnston subjected the boy to repeated instances of rape and sexual abuse. The charges against him included two counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. These offences were uncovered when the victim reported the abuse to Sussex Police in December 2024. Specialist officers provided support to the victim and his family, while an investigation was promptly launched, leading to Johnston's arrest and subsequent charges.

The trial took place at Hove Crown Court, where on Friday, 10 October 2025, Johnston was found guilty on all seven counts. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear for sentencing at a court to be confirmed on 16 January 2026. The case was handled by Sussex Police, with Detective Constable Jacob Parkin commenting on the investigation: 'I would like to thank the victim and his family for reporting Johnston’s appalling crimes to police, and for supporting this investigation through to its conclusion. Their bravery and determination has helped bring a predatory offender to justice, preventing him from harming other members of the public.' This conviction underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address child sexual exploitation, with the evidence gathered highlighting the predatory nature of Johnston's actions facilitated through seemingly innocent fan events.