MORE than 100 people gathered in a housing estate to protest against a convicted sex offender living among them.

Protesters took to Springfield Road, in Hexham, to stage what police confirmed was a peaceful protest to voice their opinions about the sex offender and his family continuing to live in the same street, while also showing support to the young victim.

The protest on Friday evening followed the sentencing of Jay Johnson (18) earlier this month after he pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault on a girl under the age of 16.

In 2018, Johnson, then aged 16, carried out the sexual assault on the teenage girl while they were out walking together.

On May 7 this year, Johnson was given a three-year community order, placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years, given a five-year-long sexual harm prevention order and a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim.

While Johnson gave Derwent Road, in Hexham, as his address, he was residing in Springfield Road.

His neighbours took to the street to voice their anger at his actions, and ask Johnson to move on.

Hayley McVay, one of the protesters, said: “We decided to hold the protest because we felt this was the only way of getting our voices heard.

“We’re not bullies and didn’t want to protest, but we felt like this was our last resort.

“The protest was peaceful and no arrests were made, and we felt like we made the impact we wanted to.

“This was always a protest to show we are all behind the victim, and we will always support her.

“She had witnessed the support everybody had shown her and she was touched by it, and that support can help her rebuild her life.”

In addition to the protest, a petition to move Johnson out of the estate was started and more than 400 people had signed it.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police revealed around 12 officers attended the protest at around 5pm on Friday, and had been informed of the event prior to it occurring.

He said: “We are legally obliged to facilitate peaceful gatherings. People did gather in the street and there was an air of protest. The event dispersed without any arrests.”

The spokesman added that officers observed social distancing among those present, and reminded people of government guidelines regarding Covid-19, where appropriate.