MAN’S COP RUSE TO COERCE ESCORT

A GOLD Coast man who pretended to be an undercover police officer to coerce an escort into performing a sex act and had previously beaten sex workers, promised a court yesterday he would change his ways.

The promise came despite Daine Robert Johnson having previously been jailed for violently assaulting and robbing sex workers after they performed services for him.

In the matter that led to Johnson being charged and before the court yesterday, the woman forced to perform the sex act described it as a “sheepish, timid and horrible” experience.

Johnson, 37, promised Judge David Kent he had changed after pleading guilty in Southport District Court to fraud and assuming designation or description of a police officer.

“I have my wife and my little daughter now,” Johnson said. “They are my main concern. I have been trying to make myself a better person.”

Judge Kent sentenced him to two years jail with parole release yesterday and ordered him to pay $200 restitution. Johnson had spent eight months in pre-sentence custody.

“If you want to try and assault women in this position the courts are going to put you in jail for longer and longer,” Judge Kent said.

Crown prosecutor Denise Darwin said that on February 18, 2015, Johnson made an appointment to see a 24-year-old sex worker.

Johnson told her he was an undercover cop and recorded a conversation in which the sex worker admitted she did not have a licence. Johnson told her that was a crime.

Ms Darwin said the woman was told if she performed the sex act she would not be charged. The woman reluctantly agreed.

“She described it as the most sheepish and timid experience of her life,” Ms Darwin said.

“She said ‘It was one of the most horrible things I had to do’.”

The court was told Johnson was jailed in 2008 after being convicted of beating and robbing sex workers.