A trans-identified male in the United Kingdom who committed multiple sexual assaults and rapes against young girls has been sentenced to just nine years in prison.
34-year-old Serenity Francis Johnston, a biological man who identifies as a woman, abused three children in Livingston in West Lothian. The attacks took place between 2006 and 2012, with Johnston targeting girls between the ages of eight and 15.
Johnston, who previously went by the name David, was sentenced to nine years in prison by the High Court in Edinburgh. The judge said that his victims had been “robbed” of their innocence.
"The rapes of young children is a very serious matter and a lengthy prison sentence will be imposed on those who commit such crimes,” said Lord Mulholland, who said that the sentence reflected John’s lack of remorse.
After he was convicted, Muholland said, "These are very serious offences to rape children. You'll pay a very heavy price for what you did.”
Johnston denied wrongdoing but was found guilty at the High Court in Livingston last month. His defense advocate told Muholland that Johnston had a "troubled childhood" and takes medication for anxiety. He noted that Johnston was bullied in his life and is now in a relationship with a woman with the support of his family, according to a report by the BBC.
Muholland, however, noted that the nature of the crimes made a jail sentence necessary. Johnson will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
"What you did corrupted their innocence and early childhood years. You have robbed them of their childhood and caused them long-lasting psychological damage,” the judge said.
34-year-old Serenity Francis Johnston, a biological man who identifies as a woman, abused three children in Livingston in West Lothian. The attacks took place between 2006 and 2012, with Johnston targeting girls between the ages of eight and 15.
Johnston, who previously went by the name David, was sentenced to nine years in prison by the High Court in Edinburgh. The judge said that his victims had been “robbed” of their innocence.
"The rapes of young children is a very serious matter and a lengthy prison sentence will be imposed on those who commit such crimes,” said Lord Mulholland, who said that the sentence reflected John’s lack of remorse.
After he was convicted, Muholland said, "These are very serious offences to rape children. You'll pay a very heavy price for what you did.”
Johnston denied wrongdoing but was found guilty at the High Court in Livingston last month. His defense advocate told Muholland that Johnston had a "troubled childhood" and takes medication for anxiety. He noted that Johnston was bullied in his life and is now in a relationship with a woman with the support of his family, according to a report by the BBC.
Muholland, however, noted that the nature of the crimes made a jail sentence necessary. Johnson will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
"What you did corrupted their innocence and early childhood years. You have robbed them of their childhood and caused them long-lasting psychological damage,” the judge said.
