A survivor of child sex abuse was denied justice for 15 years after her Fife attacker helped turn her family against her.
Johnstone Blake carried out a “sustained catalogue” of sex crimes against two young girls.
Blake, 65, turned round and said “I’m sorry” to two women in the public gallery of a Dundee courtroom prior to being remanded in custody on Friday.
It was revealed how one of the girls had originally complained about predator Blake in 2009 but withdrew the allegations after she was accused of lying.
However, Blake was finally snared after the girl – now in her 30s – recorded him making admissions during a phone call
Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith said: “It’s unfortunate and regrettable that the complainer was denied justice for such a long time, particularly by the accused failing to own up to his guilt and her family proceeding on the basis he was innocent and she was lying when the reverse was true.
“He had perpetrated this sustained course of sexual abuse and she was telling the truth.”
Hogmanay attack
Dundee Sheriff Court heard how both survivors have been left with significant mental trauma as a result of Blake’s vile actions.
The first girl was targeted minutes into a new year by Blake when he got into bed with her while she was asleep.
She was around 14 or 15 at the time while Blake was around 30.
During a Hogmanay party, the girl sat on Blake’s lap while he selected music.
The court was told how she was “terrified” as Blake sexually abused her later that night and felt pain before moving, causing her knee to strike him
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie said: “The accused did not attempt to resolve what happened and just laid down on the floor next to the bed.
“She rolled herself into a ball and waited for other adults to wake up.
“She thought it was her fault as she agreed to sit on his lap. She did not make any disclosures.”
Caught in recording
The second girl was aged between 13 and 15 at the time of the abuse she suffered and remembered three separate occasions when Blake attacked her.
The abuse happened in a similar fashion, with the creep urging her not to tell anyone.
She told what happened in 2009, which prompted an investigation by the social work department.
However, members of her family did not believe her and accused her of lying.
“She felt guilty for the impact of reporting the matter and felt hated,” Ms Ritchie said.
“She withdrew the complaint and gave an additional statement in February 2009 and said she had made a false allegation.”
She later received counselling for the trauma she endured and made a call to Blake where she informed him that she was going to discuss the abuse he inflicted.
The phone call was recorded, with Blake heard to say: “You’re not going to bring all this up again? For f*** sake.
“You’re going to have me stressed to f***. The guilt on my back is f***ing massive.”
The audio was eventually played to the authorities and Blake later admitted to abuse to police officers.
Custody
Blake, of Tyrie Crescent in Glenrothes, pled guilty to two separate sex abuse charges with the first occurring in the late 80s and the other on various occasions between 2006 and 2009, all at addresses in Fife.
Solicitor advocate Lee Qumsieh said Blake, who brought a large, black holdall into the dock, no longer wanted his liberty to continue.
Mr Qumsieh said: “Clearly these are very serious charges with a number of aggravating features and he is well aware of that.
“He is realistic about the situation and understands that a custodial sentence will ultimately be imposed.”
Sheriff Niven-Smith added: “The accused has adopted a realistic position if he realises the only sentence can be imposed for a sustained catalogue of sexual offences against children is custody.”
Sentence was deferred on Blake, who was placed on the sex offenders register, until March for a social work report to be prepared.
For more local court content visit our page or join us on Facebook.
