THOMAS MASON FROM STEVENSTON SENTENCED FOR ABUSING FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL AT ARDEER BEACH IN AYRSHIRE

In October 2018, a disturbing case involving Thomas Mason, a man from Stevenston, unfolded in Ayrshire, capturing widespread attention due to the heinous nature of his crimes. Mason, aged 34 at the time, was convicted of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl during a trip to Ardeer Beach, a popular seaside location in Ayrshire. The incident was described by the court as a profoundly disturbing episode, with Mason luring the young girl to a secluded area on the beach before subjecting her to sexual acts that are too distressing to detail publicly.

According to court proceedings, Mason had initially gained the trust of the girl’s family, who resided in Kilwinning. He had befriended them and was perceived as a trustworthy individual, which led to the family allowing him to take the girl out for a day. Over the course of July 17 to July 19 in the previous year, Mason exploited this trust, first assaulting the girl at Ardeer Beach and later at his residence in Stevenston. The court was informed that Mason committed these acts twice, with the details of the abuse being particularly harrowing.

After the assaults, Mason returned the girl to her parents, appearing completely unperturbed, as if nothing had happened. It was only after Mason had left that the young victim confided in her mother about the abuse she had endured. The child's revelation brought the horrifying incident to light, prompting a police investigation.

Mason, who was residing in Ardrossan most recently, denied the charges and chose to contest the case in court. His defense argued that he maintained his innocence, despite the evidence presented. However, the jury was convinced of his guilt, and Mason was found guilty of the serious charges against him.

Further investigations revealed that this was not Mason’s first offense involving a child. Records showed that he had previously been investigated for sexually abusing a nine-year-old girl in Leeds, between January 5, 2015, and February 23, 2016. This history of offending underscored the dangerous pattern of behavior that Mason exhibited.

When Mason appeared in Kilmarnock Sheriff Court to face sentencing, he confirmed his identity with a dismissive response when asked. Despite his lawyer’s plea for leniency and arguments that Mason continued to deny the assault, Sheriff Alistair Watson made it clear that such a heinous crime warranted a strict punishment. Mason was sentenced to 30 months in prison and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Sheriff Watson described the crime as “disgusting” and emphasized the severity of the offense. He stated, “The child was very young and although I have to accept the child was not physically injured, that takes nothing away from the appalling act that you were convicted of. This was a disgusting episode of behavior, there’s no other way to describe it.” The sheriff also expressed sympathy for the child’s parents, acknowledging their misplaced trust in Mason and clarifying that they should not blame themselves for what happened.

In the aftermath of the trial, the parents of the young girl spoke publicly about their devastation and anger. They revealed that Mason had been an active member of their community, often seen at community centers and keep-fit classes with other parents. Mason had presented himself as a stay-at-home dad of two, and the parents believed he was a trustworthy figure. They explained that Mason had even attended activities with the children he claimed were his own, which was part of how he gained their confidence.

The mother expressed her regret, saying, “I know people think why did I let her go with him, but it wasn’t just him and her. He was taking a group of kids to the beach, and all the other mums knew him and trusted him. My daughter wanted to go with her friends, and I trusted him. I regret it every day. He is a predator, and he knew exactly what he was doing, but that is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.”

The victim’s mother, visibly upset, recounted her feelings during the court proceedings, stating that Mason appeared smug and showed no remorse. She emphasized her pride in her daughter for speaking out and helping to prevent further abuse. “Our daughter is doing so well, and she knows ‘Bad Tommy’ has gone to jail. That’s all that matters,” she said. The mother also expressed concern about Mason’s potential release in the future, stating, “He is a dangerous man who preys on children, and everyone knows what he has done.”

The father echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that Mason’s imprisonment would not erase the trauma inflicted but hoped it would bring some closure. He expressed hope that their young daughter, who was so brave in speaking out, would be able to move past the ordeal in time. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and trust in safeguarding children from predators like Mason.