Sophie Johnson is out and about in your community. Will she sleep with another underage child near you?
Sophie Johnson engaged in sexual relations with a 14-year-old kid she encountered online and avoided incarceration.
Sophie Johnson participated in sexual relations with the schoolboy in three instances over a few days, a court was informed.
Newcastle Crown Court was informed that Sophie Johnson disregarded warnings regarding his age and neglected to verify that he was above 16.
However, upon recognising his youth, she ceased their interactions.
The court heard Sophie Johnson, 22, who is immature for her age, began communicating with the lad online and they swapped messages before meeting.
Gavin Doig, prosecuting, said: “The prosecution case is Miss Sophie Johnson did not reasonably believe he was 16 or over and took no steps to find out his age.
“The basis of the plea is when she found out his age, she stopped the sexual contact, which is accepted.
“Sophie Johnson ignored the warnings of others, but when she found out his age, she desisted.”
Mr Doig said there appears to have been “genuine affection” between them, and the sexual activity only happened over a short period.
The boy did not provide a victim impact statement, and while he cooperated with the prosecution, he did not wish to provide any further information, the court heard.
Sophie Johnson, of Normanton Terrace, Elswick, Newcastle, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child and was sentenced to a three-year community order and must sign the sex offenders register for five years.
Sentencing her, Judge Sarah Mallett said: “This was a relationship of mutual affection; there was no pressure applied or grooming of any sort.
“These proceedings have significantly affected you, and you were the victim of a serious offence yourself during that time.
“You have had to leave your home and family and lost your job as a result of this offending and I accept you are remorseful.”
The judge said there were issues about Sophie Johnson’s future employment in “what was your chosen field”.
She added: “You have experienced significant punishment in one way or another due to the offences.
“That’s not to put aside the effect of offences like this on their victim, but there is no victim’s statement, and I understand he has tried to make further contact with you.
“I hope there will be no long-term harmful effects on the boy.”
Penny Hall, defending, said Sophie Johnson “has difficulties” and added: “She did not do enough, but when she found out about the age, she stopped any sexual contact.
“There was mutual genuine affection and no grooming or anything.
“The proceedings have affected her for the period they have been hanging over her.
“She’s a young lady who presents with a maturity level much younger than her age and has her vulnerabilities.
“She’s remorseful and embarrassed, and your honour can be confident that the court will not see her again.
“She’s lost her career, had to leave her home area where her family are, and her mental health has deteriorated, and this has been hanging over her for a lengthy period.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 111 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.