How Tottenham paedophile used Star Wars and superhero events to lure 4-yr-old

A Tottenham paedophile who used Star Wars and superhero events to groom and rape a boy from the age of four has been jailed.

Matthew Johnston, 49, lured the child using Comic Con-style events, then repeatedly abused him in the ensuing years.

The horrific ordeal took place in Littlehampton, West Sussex, in the early 2010s and was reported to Sussex Police in December 2024.

According to MyLondon, Johnston was subsequently charged with two counts of rape of a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, two counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

He was found guilty on all counts at Hove Crown Court on October 10 last year and sentenced to 16 years in prison at the same court on Monday, March 23.

The judge described him as a dangerous offender and imposed a further five years to be spent on an extended licence.

Johnston, of Haynes Close, in Northumberland Park, has also been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order, and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Detective Constable Jacob Parkin said: “Matthew Johnston groomed, manipulated and abused this young victim over many years, in a total betrayal of the trust of him and his family.

“My thanks go to the victim and his family for their strength throughout this investigation. I have no doubt how challenging this process has been for them, but they have helped bring a dangerous offender to justice.

“If you, or anyone you know, has been a victim of sexual offending, please report it to Sussex Police. We will support you and we will do all we can to get you justice.”