Sexual predator treated victim, 15, ‘like an object, not a human being’

ADANGEROUS sexual predator has been jailed for eight years for a campaign of sexual offending against a girl whom he treated like an object.

Zack Hosking, 26, repeatedly had sex with the 15-year-old after grooming her with gifts.

Hosking, formerly of Camborne but now from Bethany Gardens in Plymouth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence after pleading guilty to nine sexual activity with a child charges and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

All of the offences took place in Camborne in 2020.

Prosecuting the case, Mary McCarthy told the court how Hosking met his victim when she was very young, before drifting away and getting back in touch when she was 15.

Hosking started sending flirtatious messages and pressuring her for sexual activity.

Ms McCarthy said: “He bought her presents and said he loved her to gain control.”

She then told the court about the offending, how Hosking got the victim to touch him and send him sexual videos.

Then, on one occasion, Hosking bought her alcohol and chocolate and asked her if she was ready to have sex. The victim wasn’t keen but went along with it to make him happy.

More sexual intercourse followed over the next few days and Hosking cruelly told his victim to get emergency contraception and “get on the pill”.

Hosking, over the following months, aggressively demanded the complainant meet him in various locations for sex, which she reluctantly agreed to.

In a victim impact statement, the complainant said she finds it hard to trust men and has had breakdowns when surrounded by men at work.

Representing Hosking, Jason Beal said: “His pleas are a public acceptance that she told the truth about what happened. His acceptance is a recognition that what he did was wrong. He doesn’t engage in victim blaming.”

Mr Beal went on to point out how Hosking lost his mother, father and stepfather in quick succession.

Sentencing Hosking, Judge Simon Carr described the offending as “the systematic sexual abuse of a child”.

He said: “You renewed contact when she was 15. You were 23. You quickly sexualised the conversation and you knew perfectly well what you were doing. You complimented her and bought her jewellery and underwear. This was all carried out for one reason. To groom her for sexual activity and this took place on a number of occasions.

“You treated her like an object, not a human being, and the language you used towards her was truly dreadful.”

Hosking was jailed for eight years and made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Shortern said: “I welcome the sentence in this case and I would like to thank the victim in this case for her incredible strength and courage in bringing this dangerous offender to justice.

“We take child sexual exploitation offences extremely seriously due to the profound and lasting effect these offences have on victims.

“I hope this case demonstrates how seriously the police take this type of offending and helps people to find the courage to come forward in the future.”

6Zack Hosking