Church worker groomed girls

Man, 25, jailed for 21 months
A VOLUNTEER church youth worker abused his position and the trust of his family and friends by grooming two under-age girls for sex.

Simon Johnson (25), who had once had ambitions to become a teacher, used his charms to win the affections of the pair who both admitted they developed a crush on him.

Johnson, from Ashton Road East, Failsworth, actively encouraged them to speak openly about sex with him.

He took the view that though intercourse outside marriage was forbidden, sexual activity of any other kind was permitted.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told he offered to advise the first girl on sexual matters, and freely talked about his own sexual activities with his then partner.

Lisa Boocock, prosecuting, said the girl felt flattered by his attentions and the relationship developed to a point where he kissed her on the lips, touched her intimately and engaged in a sex act.

The court was told that her family found out what had been going on after discovering text messages to her from Johnson.

They decided against going to the police after they confronted him and he vowed never to do anything similar again.

Less than four years later however, they discovered that he appeared to be grooming another youngster. Social services were informed, and police then became involved.

Jailing him for a total of 21 months, judge Timothy Mort told him: “You had a shot across the bows when the family of the first girl discovered what had been going on, but you later continued your behaviour with another vulnerable under-age youngster.”

He said: “You were very much in control of the situation, and the phrase grooming aptly fits what was going on.”

Johnson pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual activity with a girl under 16 in relation to the first girl, and two charges of inciting a child to indulge in sexual activity.

The court was told the first girl said she had experienced a lot of personal guilt about what had happened to her, had suffered from a lack of self esteem, and said she felt he had “played” with her mind.

The second girl, who admitted being infatuated with him, did not respond to any of his advances beyond flirting by message the court heard.

She said he had tried to encourage her to enjoy sexual activity with other men — including himself.

She said she had later felt sad and angry, and believed she had been betrayed.

Anthony Longworth, defending, said Johnson was seen as a decent, committed and caring young man in other aspects of his life.

He added: “He now realises the full enormity of his conduct, and very much regrets what he has done. He knows he has committed terrible wrongs.”

Johnson was told by judge Mort: “You knew the ages of these girls who were much younger than you were.”

He said “You have the support of a loving and forgiving wife, your family stand by you, and you have matured since these events took place, but I can find no option but an immediate custodial sentence.”