Court / Man found guilty of sex offences
A MAN wept today (Thursday) as he was sent to prison following his conviction for raping a woman and molesting another female.
Jack Johnson, 32, carried out the sexual assaults on his two victims at addresses in Lerwick in 2017 and 2021.
Johnson raped one woman after she had been drinking and had taken drugs. Due to her intoxication she was incapable of consenting.
The woman said that as well as consuming alcohol she had smoked cannabis joints and taken cocaine, but felt sick and was not stable on her feet.
She said: “My eyes were closed and I felt like I couldn’t open them.”
The woman said she felt like she could not move and Johnson began molesting her.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the woman felt she was not able to do anything, but just wanted it to stop.
Advocate depute Derick Nelson told jurors: “Her head was slumped forwards and her eyes were closed and that would have been obvious to him.”
The woman later sent messages to her attacker telling him he had raped her.
She called a friend early in the morning and told her Johnson had raped her.
The victim was found on a couch cradling herself and crying in a distressed state following the ordeal.
Johnson had denied raping the woman on 17 July 2021 at a house in Lerwick while she was intoxicated and incapable of giving or withholding sent, but was found guilty of the crime following a trial in which he pleaded not guilty to a series of charges.
He was also convicted of assaulting another woman in 2017 after pinning her down and digitally sexually penetrating her.
Johnson admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the woman after shouting and swearing.
He was acquitted of two further rape charges after the jury returned majority not proven verdicts on them.
Johnson, formerly of Cramlington, Northumberland, was on bail during his trial.
But following the verdicts the trial judge, Lord Lake, told him: “In view of the seriousness of the crimes of which you have been convicted I consider it is only appropriate you be remanded in custody.”
The judge called for the preparation of a background report on Johnson ahead of sentencing him at the High Court in Livingston on 6 November.
Johnson was placed on the sex offenders’ register.
By Dave Finlay of Edinburgh Courts Press Services
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
