Thomas Johnstone

Thomas Johnstone, a 23-year-old man from Oldham, has been imprisoned for grooming and exploiting a teenage girl. The case, heard at Manchester Crown Court, highlights the dangers of online predation and the commitment of law enforcement to combat child sexual exploitation.

In March 2020, Johnstone initiated online communication with the victim, a schoolgirl in her early teens. From the outset, these conversations were explicitly sexual in nature. Despite being fully aware of her young age, Johnstone persisted in pursuing the relationship, building her trust to satisfy his own desires. He arranged multiple meetings with her in Hyde, where he engaged in sexual activity, including non-penetrative acts, with the intention of further penetrative involvement.

The exploitation came to light following a report of concern made to the police. Officers from Greater Manchester Police's Phoenix Tameside Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Team responded swiftly, arresting Johnstone while he was in the company of the victim. During the arrest, his mobile phone and clothing were seized as evidence. Forensic examination of the device uncovered the incriminating conversations, providing clear proof of his grooming activities and intentions.

On 4 May 2021, Johnstone pleaded guilty to meeting a child following sexual grooming with the intention of engaging in penetrative sexual activity, as well as causing and inciting a child to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity. He was sentenced to 28 months' imprisonment. Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed to restrict his future behaviour, and he was required to register on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years.

Detective Constable Pavitt from the GMP’s Phoenix Tameside CSE Team commented on the case: “Child Sexual Exploitation takes place in many forms and we are committed to ensuring those guilty of such heinous crimes face justice. In this case the defendant commenced a sexual relationship with the victim, knowing full well that she was a school child in her early teens. He gained the victim’s trust and exploited that for his own sexual desires.” This outcome underscores the importance of reporting suspicions of exploitation to protect vulnerable young people.