Transgender woman jailed nine years for sex attacks on three girls in Livingston

Serenity Francis Johnston, 34, was sentenced to nine years after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting three children in West Lothian between 2006 and 2012.

Nine-year sentence for transgender woman who raped children in Livingston

Serenity Francis Johnston, 34, has been jailed for nine years after being convicted of a series of sex attacks on young girls in Livingston, West Lothian, bbc.co.uk reports.

Johnston — a biological male formerly known as David who now identifies as a woman — abused three children between November 2006 and April 2012. The victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were aged between eight and 15 at the time of the attacks.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Mulholland said the victims had been "robbed" of their innocence and happiness, and that the sentences reflected Johnston's "lack of remorse" for the girls preyed upon.

"The rapes of young children is a very serious matter and a lengthy prison sentence will be imposed on those who commit such crimes," the judge said.

A jury heard that Johnston's first victim was nine years old when the abuse began. Johnston carried out indecent and sexual assaults on the girl and raped her. On a separate occasion, between March 2011 and September 2012, Johnston raped a second girl at a house in Livingston. A third victim, aged 15, was also sexually assaulted in 2012.

Johnston had denied all wrongdoing but was found guilty at the High Court in Livingston last month.

Following the conviction, Lord Mulholland addressed Johnston directly: "These are very serious offences to rape children. You'll pay a very heavy price for what you did."

Defence advocate Jonathan Crowe told the court that Johnston had endured a "troubled childhood", takes medication for anxiety and panic attacks, and had been subjected to serious bullying. He added that Johnston is currently in a relationship with a woman and has the support of family.

Lord Mulholland rejected any mitigation that might avoid a custodial sentence, stating the nature of the crimes left only one appropriate outcome.

"What you did corrupted their innocence and early childhood years. You have robbed them of their childhood and caused them long lasting psychological damage," he said.

Johnston's status as a first-time offender was taken into account during sentencing, alongside the absence of any remorse. Johnston was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Source: The Sun