In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Serenity Johnston, then 34, formerly known as David Johnston, of Broxburn, West Lothian, was convicted of a series of horrific historical sexual offences. Following a trial at the High Court in Livingston, a jury found Johnston guilty of five charges, including two rapes, committed against two sisters between November 2006 and September 2012.
The investigation established that Johnston, who was an unemployed cleaner, targeted the victims when they were aged between nine and 11. The attacks took place several years before Johnston began living as Serenity. The prosecution reported that, despite the defendant’s denial of the crimes, a jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict on all counts in less than an hour. Lord Mulholland described the offences as “basically a disgrace” and warned that Johnston would pay a “very heavy price.”
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Johnston’s conviction has sparked renewed debate over Scottish Government prison policy. The judge noted that the rape of children represents the most serious breach of safety and deferred sentencing until 13 March 2026 to allow for background reports and a formal risk assessment. The prosecution, supported by Police Scotland, emphasised that the survivors’ testimony was pivotal in securing justice for crimes that occurred over a decade ago.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the ongoing legal challenges regarding the placement of transgender prisoners in the female estate. While Johnston was led from the dock in handcuffs, the court noted that she would be added to the sex offenders’ register immediately. The prosecution emphasised that under current SPS guidelines, any individual with a history of sexual offending against women or girls would not typically be housed in a women’s prison. For her crimes in West Lothian, the court determined that a very lengthy custodial sentence is inevitable.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
Regarding her crimes in Scotland, Serenity Johnston was subject to:
- Custodial Status: Remanded in custody for sentencing on 13 March 2026.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are now in effect indefinitely.
- PVG Act: Conviction notified to Scottish Ministers under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.
- Convictions: Found guilty of five offences, including two counts of child rape.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Johnston is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland and the prison estate. Due to the “horrific” nature of the rapes against children, her management is subject to the highest level of scrutiny by the Public Protection Unit.
As an indefinite member of the Sex Offenders Register, Johnston must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding her residence in Broxburn, West Lothian, should she ever be released. Authorities state that the forthcoming risk assessment will be a “serious” factor in determining the appropriate custodial setting. Any breach of her registration conditions or her licence terms in the future will result in her immediate arrest and return to the High Court.
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