Johnson's not a 'bad boy' at all (From Barry And District News)

Johnson's not a 'bad boy' at all

The "bad boy" ex-lover of singer Charlotte Church had charges of having an illegal weapon dropped at Barry Magistrates Court - because a policeman was on holiday in New York.

Steven Johnson, 19, was accused of having a set of dangerous kung-fu style nunchucks hidden in his car when it was searched by police at the Knap.

But he was cleared after the key police witness failed to turn up to court because he is in America on holiday.

Johnson denied that the kung-fu weapon - two pieces of wood linked by a steel chain - belonged to him when it was found in his Alfa Romeo car.

Pc Michael Williams searched the car and was due to be the main witness at Barry Magistrates court.

The court heard Pc Williams informed Crown Prosecution Service officials he was going on holiday but blundering lawyers failed to realise it clashed with yesterday's hearing.

Prosecutor Matthew Barry said: "It appears the problem has been caused by an administrative oversight."

He offered no evidence after magistrates refused to adjourn the case.

Johnson's lawyer Carol Anthony told the court: "Mr Johnson has lost high profile work as a result of this case.

"He is a young man of hitherto previous impeccable character.

"He has found this allegation an enormous strain.

"He has a fairly high profile both from his past connections and a quite successful career in his own right."

Johnson, who had a 21-month relationship with the Voice of an Angel singer, is a male model and hoping to launch his own pop career.

Miss Anthony said: "He has lost a considerable amount of work because of this.

"He was invited to go on an TV show in Argentina but Sky TV cancelled the appearance because of the allegation.

"He was also asked to go on the Johnny Vaughan show but this work was also denied him because of the case.

"He always felt confident he would be acquitted of this."

The court heard the nunchucks belonged to a friend of Johnson - who is a martial arts expert - and Johnson had "no idea" they were in the car.

Magistrates chairman John Jones ruled it would not be in the interest of justice to delay the case further.

He said: "Johnson is a man of clean character and we believe any delay would affect his employment opportunities."

After the case Johnson said: "I am delighted this is all over. I've always maintained my innocence - I'm not a 'bad boy' at all.

"I'm about to release my own music and signing up with a new modelling agency in Paris and New York. I'm glad to put all this behind me.

"The Sky TV show in Argentina was a celebrity charity special of Fear factor.

"I would have raised £10,000 for a children's charity in Cardiff and I'm gutted I was not able to do it.

"I just want to get away from all this bad stuff and move on with my life."

Johnson was ditched by millionaire Charlotte, 18, after she accused him of cheating on her.

She is now dating trainee hotel manager Kyle Johnson, 19, who is also from Cardiff but no relation to her former boyfriend.