NEIL MASON FROM WIDNES SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY BEHAVIOR IN RUNCORN

In October 2013, Neil Mason, a teacher based in Widnes, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in highly inappropriate and predatory conduct towards multiple schoolgirls in Runcorn. Mason, aged 28 at the time, was described by the presiding judge as ‘deplorable’ for his actions, which included offering money and sending explicit images to vulnerable teenagers.

Neil Mason, who taught at The Heath School in Runcorn, Cheshire, had a disturbing pattern of communication with up to 15 girls, often using pseudonymous accounts on social media platforms like Facebook to contact them. His conduct involved making sexual suggestions and engaging in inappropriate conversations, which caused significant distress among the victims. The court heard that Mason admitted to kissing a 16-year-old girl on the lips and stroking her leg during meetings, actions that were deemed highly inappropriate and abusive.

The prosecution, led by Maria Masselis, detailed how Mason pressured the 16-year-old victim into having sex with him. The girl had sent Mason 17 images of herself topless and nude, which he stored on his computer. The emotional toll on the victim was severe; she has attempted self-harm three times and has been hospitalized. She is currently undergoing treatment for anxiety attacks, illustrating the profound impact Mason’s actions have had on her mental health.

During police interviews, Mason admitted to contacting 15 girls, although authorities were only able to gather concrete evidence from four of them. The judge, Elgin Edwards, condemned Mason’s behavior, labeling him a ‘sexual predator’ and a ‘parent’s worst nightmare.’ In his sentencing remarks, the judge emphasized the breach of trust and the danger Mason posed to the young girls, stating, “Your conduct was quite deplorable. Parents have a right to expect that their children will be safe when they are in school and be taught, not regarded as sex objects of desire to satisfy a teacher’s sexual lust. That is what you did to these four girls.”

Judge Edwards further condemned Mason’s actions, asserting that he had brought shame upon his profession, his family, and the community. He highlighted that children attend school to learn and grow, not to be exploited or corrupted by predators like Mason. The court heard that other victims felt ‘scared’ and ‘betrayed,’ with some losing trust in male teachers altogether.

In addition to his predatory behavior, Mason was found to possess 20 indecent images of himself, along with topless pictures of a schoolgirl, which he asked the court to consider as part of his sentencing. His defense lawyer, Rachel Shenton, described Mason’s actions as ‘utter madness,’ attributing his behavior to a serious gambling addiction and overwhelming debts. She revealed that Mason’s father had repaid £41,000, including writing off ten payday loans, in an effort to support him.

Ms. Shenton emphasized that Mason had lost everything—his reputation, his career, his home, and his relationships—highlighting the devastating consequences of his actions. Ultimately, Mason was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was disqualified from working with children. Detective Constable Tim Murray, who led the investigation, stated, “Mason used his position of trust to prey on vulnerable teenage girls. Each of the girls looked up to Mason and saw him as a friend and teacher, but he manipulated those relationships to satisfy his own sexual desires.”