Ex-Sun editor found guilty of breaching Sexual Offences Act after printing picture of Adam Johnson's victim.

THE former Editor of the Sun newspaper has been convicted of breaching the Sexual Offences Act after the paper printed a photograph of Adam Johnson's teenage victim.
Adam Johnson. Picture by PA.Adam Johnson. Picture by PA.
Adam Johnson. Picture by PA.

Durham Constabulary launched a prosecution against former Sun Editor David Dinsmore after the newspaper published a photograph of the girl following the former Sunderland and England player’s arrest last year.

Today, Monday, March 7, Dinsmore was found guilty of breaching the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 following a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London.

Under the act, victims are granted life-long anonymity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The press are prohibited from publishing the name, address, place of work or education or any image of the victim, or any other details that might lead to their identification.

Det Insp Aelfwynn Sampson, of Durham Constabulary, said: “We are delighted with today’s result.

“What Dinsmore did in the Sun was legally and morally wrong.

“As a victim of a sexual offence, the identity of this child should have been protected. Instead her picture, although pixelated, was plastered across a national tabloid.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She was not fair game, she was a child who was groomed by a person in power for his own sexual gratification.

“I hope today’s result serves as reminder that anyone who identifies someone who may or may not be a victim of a sexual offence is committing a criminal act and we will take robust action.”

Dinsmore was ordered to pay £1,300 costs and £1,000 compensation.