Description
A depraved sex offender who masturbated in front of two women before going onto rape another while she was unconscious on the Piccadilly Line has been jailed for rape and sexual assault, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.
Ryan Johnston, 37, and of HMP Thameside, Greenwich, was sentenced today (8 December) at Inner London Crown Court for nine years imprisonment. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a life-long signature on the Sex Offenders Register.
His sentencing followed a jury finding him guilty of: one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of outraging public decency at Inner London Crown Court on 2 August.
On Sunday 23 February 2020 at around 4.45am, two women left the Piccadilly Line at Bounds Green Underground station.
They noticed a man stood outside a house with his trousers round his ankles, looking through the window and masturbating.
Feeling scared, the women ran away, and Johnston then began shouting and chased them down the street to their home.
Thankfully, they managed to safely get inside and hide under a stairwell while Johnston banged on their door and put his hand through the letterbox before eventually leaving.
Three hours later, Johnston boarded a Piccadilly Line train at Heathrow Terminal Five.
He walked confidently through the carriage and approached a young woman who was asleep.
He sexually assaulted her and then raped her as she sat unconscious.
The horrific attack was witnessed by a tourist and his young son, who reported what they had seen to police later that morning.
The incident was not captured on CCTV and despite extensive enquiries, officers were unable to identify the victim or any other report made to police.
Two years later, following a BTP review of historic rape cases, Johnston was identified, and he was arrested at HMP Brixton in December 2022 where he was serving time for burglary.
Further enquiries led to detectives identifying the victim in the same month, who hadn’t realised the extent of what had happened to her. She was just 20-years-old at the time.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Kathrine Spencer said: "The offences committed by Ryan Johnston show him to be a dangerous individual who viewed women with contempt.
“He was simply concerned with his own sexual gratification at any cost. I hope this sends out a strong message to survivors of these offences that we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice to make society a safer place."
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Paul Attwell of BTP’s Major, Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said:
“Johnston’s brazen attack in front of witnesses highlights his lack of shame or remorse for his actions, something which continued throughout his trial. I am thankful his violence and despicable actions have been recognised by the guilty verdicts and significant sentence.
“His depraved actions will have a life-long impact on the victim and those who witnessed this. I am thankful for their bravery throughout this investigation. I hope they can now find some comfort in the fact justice has been served.”