In 2019, the Offender Database confirmed that Martin Johnson, 20, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Sheffield Crown Court for the “savage” murder of his one-year-old stepdaughter, Erin Tomkins. Johnson, a former chef, attacked the toddler at her home in the Gleadless area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, causing catastrophic injuries to her head and face. While Johnson claimed the child had simply collapsed while they were playing, medical experts and the jury dismissed his account as a lie intended to cover up a brutal physical assault.
The court heard that Erin was taken to Sheffield Children’s Hospital on May 21, 2018, where doctors discovered ten distinct areas of injury to her head and face, along with severe swelling and bleeding of the brain. A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed a history of systematic abuse in the weeks leading up to her death, including a fractured arm and four separate fractures to her spine. These non-recent injuries proved that Erin had been living in a state of terror and physical pain well before the final, fatal attack.
Martin Johnson was found guilty of murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent after less than two hours of jury deliberation. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years before he can be considered for parole. The judge emphasised the extreme breach of trust involved in the case, noting that Erin was a defenceless child who should have felt safe in her own home rather than living in fear of her mother’s partner.
As a convicted child killer and abuser, Johnson will be managed under the most stringent Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) throughout his incarceration and upon any potential future release. He is subject to permanent notification requirements and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register if any of the underlying counts of GBH involved a sexual element, as is standard in cases of extreme physical and predatory violence against minors. Official monitoring by South Yorkshire Police will remain in place for the duration of his life to ensure the protection of the public.
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