The stepfather of grooming gang fantasist Eleanor Williams is fighting for his life after being allegedly attacked in his family home, Mail Online can reveal.
Ronnie Johnston, 57, was discovered with life-threatening injuries at the end-terrace property in Teasdale Road, Barrow, shortly before midnight on Saturday.
A 19-year-old man at the address, found by paramedics with a broken arm, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
A woman at the scene, 54, was also arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Painter and decorator Mr Johnston is the stepfather of Eleanor Williams, 24, who falsely claimed she was trafficked and beaten by an Asian gang in Cumbria.
She alleged she had been brutally raped and trafficked across the north of England and overseas in a string of Facebook posts in May 2020, shared more than 100,000 times.
Her purported ordeal sparked protests and months of unrest in her home town, and prompted thousands to donate cash.
Williams was later convicted of perverting the course of justice when her dramatic accounts were exposed as being completely fantastical.
Ronnie Johnston, 57, was discovered with life-threatening injuries at the end-terrace property in Teasdale Road shortly before midnight on Saturday. Pictured: Allison and Ronnie Johnston
Painter and decorator Mr Johnston is the stepfather of Eleanor Williams, 24, who falsely claimed she was trafficked and beaten by an Asian gang. He is pictured with Eleanor’s mother
Eleanor Williams claimed she had been trafficked by an Asian grooming gang and was found guilty of perverting the course of justice
A Cumbria police spokesperson said: ‘Police were contacted at 11.54pm on July 12 by North West Ambulance Service after they were called to a report of two people injured at an address at Teasdale Road, Barrow.
‘One man, 19, had sustained a suspected broken arm, while another, 57, had sustained life-threatening injuries.
‘Initial investigations were carried out and the 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and escorted to Furness General Hospital for treatment.
‘The man, 57, was taken to hospital in Preston where he remains in a critical condition.
‘A woman at the scene, 54, was also arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
‘Investigations remain ongoing. Residents may notice a larger-than-normal police presence in the area as a result.’
A trial at Preston Crown Court heard Williams inflicted the wounds herself using a hammer and she was jailed for eight-and-a-half years in March 2023.
Three men falsely accused over a three-year period were driven to the brink of suicide after being targeted.
Williams alleged she had been brutally raped and trafficked across the north of England and overseas
The injuries – which caused an outcry in her hometown of Barrow – turned out to be self-inflicted
Mohammed Ramzan (second right), who was accused of trafficking by Williams
His wife Nicola Holt spoke of how the ordeal impacted their entire family after her husband was falsely accused
One of them – Jordan Trengove – spent more than 70 days in prison, sharing a cell with a convicted sex offender after he was charged as a result of Williams’ bogus claims.
Her mother Allison Williams, 54, a former Labour councillor, was later accused of refusing to return £22,000 donated by well-wishers.
She later said she donated the funds to two homeless charities.
Williams was released from prison in January under the Government’s early release scheme designed to free up space in prisons.
The serial liar was revealed by Mail Online to be making a ‘new life for herself’ outside of Barrow.
A source said: ‘She was a model prisoner and she was no threat to society at all. She was working during her time in jail as a receptionist for an electrical equipment company and proved to the authorities that she was suitable to be released.
‘She’s currently living outside Barrow and doesn’t know whether she’ll be able to return.
A 19-year-old man at the address, found by paramedics with a broken arm, was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Pictured: Allison and Ronnie Johnston
‘It’s an isolated town where everyone is involved in everyone else’s business which would make life impossible for her at the moment.’
Cumbria Police added: ‘Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, referring to incident 355 of July 12.
‘Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.’
