‘Dangerous and predatory’ child abuser admits string of charges

A “dangerous and predatory” Angus man has admitted abusing a young girl and posting indecent images of children online.

John Johnstone was caught following what Police Scotland described as a “hugely complex inquiry” centred on the 43-year-old, who was said to have posed a danger to children worldwide.

Johns tone , from Arbroath, pled guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court to a string of charges, including performing a sexual act in the presence of a child, and taking and distributing indecent images of children online.

Police Scotland launched an investigation after receiving intelligence that John stone had uploaded an indecent image of a child on to the so-called dark web.

The information triggered a complex operation, involving specialist officers in detailed investigation and digital forensic examinations, to gather intelligence and evidence of Johnstone’s criminal activity.

He was arrested and charged in July this year.

Detective Chief Inspector Richie Banks, of Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said :“John Johnstone is a dangerous and predatory individual whose levels of hidden criminal activity over a number of years show he was not only a risk to children in Scotland, but worldwide.

“His guilty plea today is testament to the investigative work undertaken by officers across Police Scotland and partner agencies.”

John stone will be sentenced at a later date.

Last August, he was placed on the sex offenders register for three years but escaped prison after admitting an indecent images offence.

He appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court where he admitted taking or permitting to be taken, or making, indecent photos or pseudo-photographs of children at his home in July 2017.

He was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work under a three-year community order.

Strict restrictions were also imposed at the time including a ban on unsupervised contact with under-18s.

John Johnstone.