Rodney Johnston, 67 sexually exploited the woman over three decades making her engage with multiple men while he took photographs and filmed the abuse, threatening her if she did not comply
A vile monster who forced a woman into having sex with up to 1,000 men over three decades has been jailed for life. Rodney Johnston, 67 was found guilty of multiple offences including three counts of procuring a woman to have sexual intercourse by threats or intimidation, two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one count of intimidation of a witness.
His victim, who has a legal right to lifelong anonymity, said she was now trying to rebuild her life. She said: “For the first time in decades I am free.”
The court heard Johnston sexually exploited the woman over three decades making her engage with multiple men while he took photographs and filmed the abuse, threatening her if she did not comply with his demands.
The abuse happened during “outings” to secluded woodland or pre-arranged hotel rooms where the victim would be made to engage sexually with multiple men.
In a statement she said it was easier to comply than face the consequences of defying him. Johnston, she said, had preyed on her weakness and vulnerability.
“I found myself in a situation I never imagined I would be in,” she said. “What I then went on to endure I would not wish on anybody. I had no voice, no choice”
She described Johnston as a monster for whom she was “nothing more than an object.”
“I felt dirty, sick, used, degraded, humiliated and terrified – but his became my norm. I no longer know who I am,” she said:
“Now I must rebuild myself and I often feel lost and unsure where to begin. I feel anxious about the future, but for the first time in decades I am free.”
The woman’s family members said they were “endlessly proud” of her courage.
During sentencing at Norwich Crown Court today (January 9) Judge Alice Robinson told Johnston it was “difficult to comprehend how appalling his offending was”, adding there were a “multitude of aggravating factors” including a failure to accept any responsibility for his actions.
She sentenced Johnston to life with a minimum term of 16 years.
Following sentencing, senior investigating officer Duncan Woodhams said: “Today’s sentence is the result of painstaking work due to the sheer volume of evidence involved, and of course the courage of the victim in telling us about what she has endured.
“We are grateful for her trust in us allowing us to present the full scale of Johnston’s prolonged, disturbing, and truly awful abuse. Whilst this sentence cannot undo what happened to her we hope she can now take those steps to build her life on her own terms.
“She has shown remarkable bravery.
“And to anyone else who is suffering abuse please come forward and know you will be listened to and supported.”
A further statement released by the police said: “With the conclusion of phase one and the conviction of the defendant, our focus now shifts to establishing if any further offences have been committed and if so we will conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and do everything possible to try to bring them to justice.”