Zack Hosking

A dangerous sexual predator from Camborne has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a sustained campaign of sexual abuse against a 15-year-old girl. Zack Hosking, aged 26 and formerly of Camborne but more recently residing in Plymouth, appeared at Truro Crown Court after pleading guilty to nine counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. All offences occurred in Camborne in 2020.

Prosecutor Mary McCarthy detailed how Hosking first met the victim when she was very young, but contact drifted before he re-established communication when she turned 15. He was 23 at the time. Hosking initiated flirtatious messaging and applied pressure for sexual encounters, using gifts such as jewellery and underwear to gain control. Ms McCarthy stated: "He bought her presents and said he loved her to gain control." The grooming escalated as Hosking coerced the victim into masturbating him and sending sexual videos.

On one occasion, Hosking provided the girl with alcohol and chocolate before asking if she was ready to lose her virginity. Despite her reluctance and the painful experience that followed, Hosking dismissed her discomfort, claiming it was normal, and left shortly after. Subsequent days saw further instances of sexual intercourse, with Hosking demandingly instructing her to obtain emergency contraception and start using the pill. Over the following months, he aggressively insisted on meetings in various locations for sex, to which she reluctantly complied.

The victim impact statement revealed the profound effects of the abuse, with the complainant describing difficulties trusting men and experiencing breakdowns in male-dominated work environments. In mitigation, Jason Beal, representing Hosking, acknowledged the guilty pleas as an acceptance of the victim's account and a recognition of wrongdoing. He noted Hosking's personal tragedies, including the successive losses of his mother, father, and stepfather.

Judge Simon Carr condemned the offences as "the systematic sexual abuse of a child." He remarked: "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." In addition to the eight-year custodial sentence, Hosking was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Shortern, the investigating officer, welcomed the sentence and praised the victim's courage: "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." The case was reported by Plymouth Live on 20 December 2023.