DJ cleared of child sex abuse charges
ARADIO presenter has seen his life and career catastrophically damaged by child abuse allegations, his lawyers said in a statement after he was found not guilty.
Yesterday, at Caernarfon Crown Court, a jury found Kevin Johns, 60, not guilty on two counts of indecent assault on a boy aged under 16 in Swansea in the 1980s. Following his acquittal, his legal team issued a statement which said that Mr Johns had been “sickened to the core” by the allegations, which went “against everything that he stands for”.
The statement said Mr Johns, 60, had always denied the allegations, which related to an alleged incident more than 30 years ago when Johns was in his twenties and in which he was accused of abusing a boy in his early teens.
The statement said: “Mr Johns would like to thank the jury for their careful deliberation of the evidence presented in this case.
“He would like to thank the Crown courts in north Wales, as well as those in Swansea and Cardiff, for ensuring that justice was done, and seen to be done, in a fair and unbiased crucible.
“Thanks are given to his legal team headed by counsel Mr Matthew Roberts and solicitor Matthew Murphy for their hard work.
“A special thanks must be given to the countless people who have supported Mr Johns, especially those who have provided witness evidence for him.
“The kind wishes he has received from across the community have kept him going through these darkest of months.
“The nature of these allegations sicken Mr Johns to the core.
“They go against everything that he stands for.
“He has always denied these offences and has never shied away from defending himself in these proceedings and the initial police investigation.
“He is thankful that finally, he is exonerated.
“Mr Johns and his family would ask for time to reflect, regroup and consider his next move.
“These proceedings, by their very nature, have had a catastrophic effect on Mr Johns’ life and career.
“A career which he cherished, we all cherished, and has been all but lost. We will make further comment in relation to the investigation once I have taken instructions from my client.”
Yesterday, at Carnarfon Crown Court, the jury returned not-guilty verdicts on both counts of indecent assault.
His Honour Judge Timothy Petts told Mr Johns he was free to leave the dock with his good name intact.
The complainant in the case has been granted lifelong anonymity.
At the trial’s start, prosecutor Elen Owen said the alleged incident happened in the 1980s when Mr Johns was in his 20s and the alleged victim was in his early teens.
In a video interview, the alleged victim claimed Mr 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.
The alleged victim claimed Mr Johns began “pushing the boundaries” and had a “certain charm and persuasiveness about him”.
The man claimed that, after talking to him, Mr Johns touched himself sexually.
The alleged victim then claimed that Mr Johns encouraged him to engage in sexual activity.
On Wednesday, Mr Johns went into the witness box to give evidence in his own defence and said he had “never” done anything sexually
‘He has always denied these offences and has never shied away from defending himself in these proceedings and the initial investigation’ STATEMENT
inappropriate with the alleged victim.
Defence barrister Matthew Roberts asked him: “Is there any truth in these allegations?” Mr Johns told the court: “Absolutely no.”
The barrister then asked his client: “Have you ever had a sexual interest in children?”
Mr Johns responded: “Oh no, dear me no.”