Johnny was a friend of Texas Longford, whom she recruited to help con Cindy Longford out of her money in May 2011. Johnny visited Cindy at Cinergy, introducing himself as "Piers St. Claire" and telling her that he was in search of an art installation space. Cindy was charmed by his compliments about the business.
"Piers" held the art show at Cinergy a few days later, with artwork newly painted which Cindy very nearly noticed. Cheryl Brady also noticed the wet painting, but Cindy told her of "Piers"'s excuse, none of them noticing a splatter of paint on the back of Cheryl's jacket. Cindy failed to take a liking to any of the pictures, until Cheryl noticed a painting by Duncan Button of Mandy Richardson which the pair both took a liking too. Johnny charged Cindy £11,000 for the painting, the scam having succeeded.