DJ DENIES TEEN BOY SEX ATTACK
ARADIO presenter accused of abusing a teenage boy in the 1980s has told a jury there is “absolutely” no truth in the allegations.
Kevin Johns, 60, denies two counts of indecent assault on a boy aged under 16 in Swansea in the 1980s and is on trial at Caernarfon Crown Court.
Prosecutor Elen Owen has told the trial the alleged incident happened in the 1980s when Johns was in his twenties and the alleged victim was in his early teens.
In a video interview, the alleged victim described how Johns began talking to him and asked if he had a girlfriend and whether he “played with himself”.
The alleged victim said he was “totally naive” and didn’t know what was going on. He said Johns began “pushing the boundaries” and had a “certain charm and persuasiveness about him”.
The man said that Johns took out his penis and encouraged the boy to perfom a sex act.
The alleged victim of the abuse has lifelong anonymity.
Yesterday, Johns went into the witness box to give evidence in his own defence and said he had “never” done anything sexually inappropriate with the alleged victim.
Defence barrister Matthew Roberts asked him: “Is there any truth in these allegations?” Johns told the court: “Absolutely no.”
The barrister then asked his client: “Have you ever had a sexual interest in children?” Johns responded: “Oh no, dear me no.”
He described being arrested as “the worst day of my life” and said since the allegations were made he had gained two stone in weight, had panic attacks, and no longer worked.
The jury had earlier heard extracts from a police interview conducted with Johns following his arrest on January 4 last year.
When the allegations were put to him, Johns told officers: “I can say 100% not, definitely not. I can honestly say that did not happen.”
During Johns’ evidence he was asked by his barrister, Mr Roberts, why he did not ask for a solicitor during his police interview.
The defendant said: “I didn’t think there was anything in what I was being accused of. I genuinely thought I would be able to answer their questions and that would be OK.”
During cross-examination, prosecutor Miss Owen said Johns was “charming and persuasive” and knew which buttons to press to get the response he wanted.
Miss Owen said: “You had, in [the alleged victim’s] words, an opportunity for sexual gratification.” Johns replied: “No.”
The barrister countered: “Selfishly and arrogantly you took it.” Johns again said: “No.”
Miss Owen said: “You knew he was going to be amenable. You got your penis out. You gave not a thought to [him] and the trauma this might cause him for the rest of his life.” Johns replied: “No.”
The barrister asked: “You wanted sexual gratification in that moment and you took it, didn’t you?” Johns said: “No.”
He later added: “I was never in that situation with [him], I was never alone with [him], I didn’t abuse
[him].”
Earlier, defence barrister Matthew Roberts asked the defendant about his charitable work, and Johns told the court about his work with organisations including the Llys Nini RSPCA centre in Swansea, Harry’s Fund, and the Dyfodol drugs organisation.
Johns told the court that in 2010 he was awarded an MBE for services to charity in Wales, though at first he did not realise what it was as when the letter arrived he saw it was marked from “Her Majesty” and thought it was a tax demand.
Johns said he was the host of the breakfast show on radio station Swansea Sound for 25 years; hosted most of the charity dinners and events in the city; had been “blessed” to do the annual big pantomime in Swansea Grand Theatre; and did the matchday announcing for Swansea City Football Club.
Defence barrister Mr Roberts asked Kevin Johns if he had had any contact with his alleged victim since the early 1980s or knew anything about his life during the intervening decades. The defendant said no.
The trial continues.