STEPHEN MACKEY FROM ALDERSHOT AND ASH VALE JAILED FOR KIDNAPPING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN SOUTH LONDON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Aldershot and Ash Vale, Stephen Mackay, aged 48, has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping a young girl with the apparent intent of sexually assaulting her. The incident unfolded in the Bromley area of south London, but the repercussions have resonated across Hampshire, where Mackay resides.

According to court proceedings, Mackay, who was working as a lorry driver at the time, was engaged in routine deliveries when he encountered the 13-year-old girl. The girl, who had just finished taking her younger brother to school, was walking home along Freelands Road in Bromley on July 24. Initially, Mackay approached her and exchanged greetings, which she did not find alarming, believing he might be a familiar face or someone she knew.

However, the situation quickly escalated. The prosecutor, Andrew Ramsubhag, detailed how Mackay reappeared at a junction on Plaistow Lane and reassured her, saying, “Don’t worry. I’m not following you. Are you alright?” Believing he might need directions, the girl returned to the junction, only to be grabbed by the right wrist over her clothing. Mackay then forcibly led her down a lane, expressing admiration by saying, “You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen,” and kissed her on the cheek, an act she immediately wiped away with her sleeve.

The court heard that Mackay inquired if she had a boyfriend and whether she wanted one, further unsettling the young girl. As she attempted to escape, Mackay chased after her, grabbing her again and wrapping her in a bear hug around the waist. He then dragged her approximately 50 meters away from the main road into an overgrown wooded area. During this terrifying ordeal, Mackay told her, “I’m not going to hurt you, so don’t worry,” but his actions soon took a more sinister turn.

Witnesses and CCTV footage confirmed that Mackay unzipped his trousers and placed his hands down her underwear. The girl, overwhelmed with fear, managed to return home after the assault. Her mother, upon arriving home, found her daughter crying uncontrollably and distressed. The girl confided that she had been too frightened to resist because she feared Mackay might be carrying a knife.

Police investigations quickly identified Mackay after CCTV images of him dragging the girl were broadcast on Crimewatch and other television programs. A colleague recognized him from the footage, leading to his arrest on July 30 in a business park. During police interviews, Mackay claimed that the girl had been smiling at him and that he had waved at her further along the road. He admitted to grabbing her by the upper arm and questioned her about her presence in a quiet lane with a stranger.

In court, Mackay expressed remorse, stating that only a “monster” could commit such an act. His defense attorney, John Cammegh, argued that Mackay believed he was acting in a fatherly manner towards the girl and suggested that his behavior was the result of a mental breakdown following the death of his 21-year-old son four years prior. Mackay, who has no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty to kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual assault, but the court was told there was no clear explanation for his actions.

Judge Ruth Downing sentenced Mackay to five years in prison, emphasizing the danger he posed to the public and expressing concern over his inexplicable behavior. The case has left a lasting impact on the local communities of Aldershot and Ash Vale, highlighting the importance of vigilance and swift law enforcement response in protecting vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts.