Overview
- Matthew Johnston, sentenced Monday at Hove Crown Court, received 16 years in prison plus a five-year extended licence, which means extra supervision after release.
- The 49-year-old from Haynes Close, Tottenham, was convicted of two counts of raping a child under 13, two counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13, two counts of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of sexual activity in the presence of a child.
- Police and court records say he began grooming and assaulting the Littlehampton boy in 2014 when the child was four, using Comic Con–style Star Wars and superhero events to gain access over several years.
- After the abuse was reported to Sussex Police in December 2024, specialist officers supported the family and the case led to guilty verdicts on October 10 and extensive post-sentence safeguards.
- The court also imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order, and sex offender registration, while coverage highlighted police thanks to the family and signposted help from Safe Space Sussex, Survivors Network, Life Centre, and Mankind.