A TEENAGER who forced a four-year-old girl into a sickening sex game could be monitored for life after prosecutors asked for his case to be put before the High Court.
Terry Johnston, 17, told the tot to touch his private parts before he performed a sex act on himself in an Edinburgh home.
His disgusting behaviour was only uncovered when the child asked her mum if they could “play the kissing game” which Johnston had taught her.
When the abuse came to light Johnston fled to Crewe where he committed a further two sexual offences.
Johnston was due to be sentenced yesterday (Tuesday) at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. But fiscal worried prosecutors asked that a life-long restriction of liberty order be considered to protect the public from him.
Only the High Court can make such a sentence and it would see authorities keep tabs on Johnston for the rest of his life.
The court had earlier heard how the child’s father had taken her to stay overnight at the address in the Saughton area of Edinburgh where Johnston was staying at the time of the attack in March last year.
Fiscal depute Dev Kapadia said: “During the course of the evening the child spent most of her time upstairs in the accused’s bedroom.
“They slept in different beds but in the same room.”
Mr Kapadia said the morning after Johnston’s father had noticed his son had been “anxious” but was told nothing was wrong.
Innocence
Two days later, however, the vile events were revealed through the child’s innocence.
Mr Kapadia said: “The child’s mother gave the child a kiss and said ‘I love you’ to her.
“The child said back to her ‘I love you too, so let’s play the kissing game’ and proceeded to kiss her mother with an open mouth in and adult fashion.”
Her horrified mum became alarmed at this and upon questioning the child it became clear what had taken place while she was with Johnston.
Sick
The girl’s father also spoke to his daughter who confirmed what had happened, telling him “it was sick”.
DNA found on the young girl’s pyjamas matched that of Johnston’s and he later admitted lewd and libidinous behaviour.
His sentence was deferred for psychiatric reports but following this fiscal depute Malcolm Stewart asked that the High Court consider a life long restriction of liberty order – meaning Johnston will be watched until the day he dies.
Mr Stewart said: “If my lordship was satisfied that on the balance of probability that the risk criteria had been met taking into account the reports and any other information then it would be sufficient to remit this case to the High Court where the High Court can impose a life long restriction of liberty order.”
Johnston’s solicitor, Ewen Roy, said that the case could be dealt with by the sheriff court system – which can only impose five years sentences.
But Sheriff James Farrell allowed the case to be considered by the High Court and Johnston will appear there at a later date.
He remains in custody.
