Man sent to jail for sex with girl, 14

Oct 28 2008 By Ross McCarthy

A “PREDATOR” who seduced a 14-year-old and got her pregnant was jailed for seven years.

Zachary Mason’s abuse of the Birmingham teenager eventually came to light when it was discovered she had a sexually transmitted infection and was carrying his child.

Judge Phillip Parker QC told Mason, who had a previous conviction for abusing three young children: “I have to conclude to some extent that you are a predatory man.

“You would have no fear about doing the same thing again, save for the risk of being caught.”

The judge also said that the offences were committed out of “pure sexual greed” and that he was only “nailed to the mast” when a DNA test proved he was the father of the baby.

Reports indicated Mason was “emotionally manipulative” and a statement from the victim suggested she had been deeply disturbed by what had happened to her.

Mason, 35, of Glaston Street, Aston, had previously admitted four charges of sexual activity with a child.

Zaheer Afzal, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said Mason’s initial sexual contact with the girl, who he had plied with gifts, had begun with fondling but this had progressed to repeated full sex over a number of months.

Matters came to light when, during a routine visit to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, it was discovered that Mason’s victim was pregnant and also had a sexually transmitted disease.

To begin with, the girl was reluctant to reveal the identity of the father, but eventually confided to a friend.

Mr Afzal said the teenager subsequently had an abortion.

Mason served a nine-month prison sentence 13 years ago after being convicted of indecent assault, he added.

Stefan Kolodynski, defending, said Mason had used no violence or threats of violence during the abuse and was deeply ashamed of what he had done.