ZAI VESSEY FROM HAVRAGORD SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING TEENAGERS IN ABERDEEN AND SHETLAND
| Red Rose Database
Havragord Rapist
In June 2016, a young apprentice mechanic from Brae, identified as Zai Vessey, was sentenced to a three-year prison term after being found guilty of engaging in unlawful sexual activities with two underage girls. The case was heard at the High Court in Glasgow, where the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Vessey's criminal conduct.
Vessey, aged 22 and residing in Havragord, had a troubling criminal history prior to these offences. It was established that he had a previous conviction related to under-age sex and was serving probation at the time he committed the latest offences. The court heard that Vessey had engaged in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl at a residence in Lerwick in 2010, and with a 15-year-old girl in Shetland in 2012. These incidents spanned over two years, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.
During the trial at the Aberdeen High Court, Vessey was acquitted of certain allegations, including the accusations of soliciting naked photographs from the 14-year-old girl and sending her explicit images of himself. He was also cleared of the charge of raping the 15-year-old girl. Despite these acquittals, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of the unlawful sexual encounters with the minors.
Judge Johanna Johnston QC delivered a stern verdict, condemning Vessey for exploiting vulnerable young girls. She emphasized the gravity of his actions, noting that one victim was only 14 years old and the other 15. The judge pointed out that Vessey committed one of these offences while he was already on probation for a previous similar conviction, underscoring a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of minors. She remarked that if Vessey had been significantly older than the victims, her sentencing perspective might have been different.
Following his conviction, Vessey was ordered to register as a sex offender, a measure intended to monitor and prevent further offenses. The court also learned that he had engaged in sexual activity with the 14-year-old girl when he was 17, and with the second girl when he was 19, further illustrating the troubling timeline of his misconduct.
During the proceedings, solicitor advocate John Keenan highlighted that Vessey had been nearing the completion of a four-year HGV mechanic apprenticeship, which he had been undertaking in Brae. Keenan assured the court that Vessey’s former employer was willing to allow him to finish his apprenticeship upon his release from prison. He also noted that Vessey would have employment opportunities and would reside with his family after serving his sentence.
Throughout the trial, Vessey maintained his innocence, denying all charges brought against him. The case underscores the serious nature of his crimes and the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation and abuse.
Vessey, aged 22 and residing in Havragord, had a troubling criminal history prior to these offences. It was established that he had a previous conviction related to under-age sex and was serving probation at the time he committed the latest offences. The court heard that Vessey had engaged in sexual acts with a 14-year-old girl at a residence in Lerwick in 2010, and with a 15-year-old girl in Shetland in 2012. These incidents spanned over two years, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.
During the trial at the Aberdeen High Court, Vessey was acquitted of certain allegations, including the accusations of soliciting naked photographs from the 14-year-old girl and sending her explicit images of himself. He was also cleared of the charge of raping the 15-year-old girl. Despite these acquittals, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of the unlawful sexual encounters with the minors.
Judge Johanna Johnston QC delivered a stern verdict, condemning Vessey for exploiting vulnerable young girls. She emphasized the gravity of his actions, noting that one victim was only 14 years old and the other 15. The judge pointed out that Vessey committed one of these offences while he was already on probation for a previous similar conviction, underscoring a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of minors. She remarked that if Vessey had been significantly older than the victims, her sentencing perspective might have been different.
Following his conviction, Vessey was ordered to register as a sex offender, a measure intended to monitor and prevent further offenses. The court also learned that he had engaged in sexual activity with the 14-year-old girl when he was 17, and with the second girl when he was 19, further illustrating the troubling timeline of his misconduct.
During the proceedings, solicitor advocate John Keenan highlighted that Vessey had been nearing the completion of a four-year HGV mechanic apprenticeship, which he had been undertaking in Brae. Keenan assured the court that Vessey’s former employer was willing to allow him to finish his apprenticeship upon his release from prison. He also noted that Vessey would have employment opportunities and would reside with his family after serving his sentence.
Throughout the trial, Vessey maintained his innocence, denying all charges brought against him. The case underscores the serious nature of his crimes and the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation and abuse.