ZACHARY BRANT FROM WORCESTER JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN PERSHORE WOODS
In May 2017, a man named Zachary Brant, residing in Worcester, was sentenced to prison after a disturbing incident involving two young girls in Pershore.Brant, aged 21 at the time, was convicted of serious sexual offences following a trial at Worcester Crown Court.
The case revealed that Brant had lured two girls, aged 12 and 13, into a woodland area in Pershore on the late afternoon of Saturday, December 5, 2015, with the apparent intent of engaging in inappropriate conduct.
Prosecutor Samantha Crabb detailed to the jury that Brant had brought along a half-litre bottle of vodka and three bottles of Lucozade, which he had already spiked with alcohol.
The girls, under the influence of the alcohol, became intoxicated during their meeting.
According to the evidence presented, Brant had initially arranged the meeting online, knowing the girls' ages, and had taken steps to ensure they consumed alcohol, which facilitated his subsequent actions.
At some point, Brant left the scene, believing that the girls’ parents might be searching for them.
The older girl then contacted her mother, while the 12-year-old sent a distress message saying, “Help us, we don’t know where we are.” The authorities found the girls nearby around 7:15 pm, with their clothes stained with mud and leaves, and the older girl was visibly sick on her legs.
The scene painted a picture of neglect and exploitation, with the girls in a vulnerable state due to the alcohol and the circumstances.
Throughout the trial, Brant denied all allegations, asserting that the girls had tried to kiss him and that he had stopped them.
He claimed that the girls had taken the alcohol from him, denying any sexual intent.
However, the jury found him guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child and sexual activity with a child under 13.
They acquitted him of four other charges, including inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and sexual assault of a child under 13.
During sentencing, Brant’s defense lawyer, Nicholas Smith, described him as a talented footballer who had played for Birmingham, Coventry, and Swindon as a youth and had worked as a football coach.
Smith mentioned that at the time of the offences, Brant was living in Pershore and had been drinking heavily.
He acknowledged that Brant recognized his wrongdoing and described him as having made a foolish mistake.
Judge Robert Juckes delivered a stern verdict, criticizing Brant for lying throughout the proceedings and emphasizing that his decision to bring alcohol to the meeting made the situation worse.
The judge pointed out that Brant had actively sought contact with the girls via Facebook, fully aware of their young ages, and had deliberately arranged to meet them in an isolated area.
The judge condemned Brant for being sexually motivated and for taking responsibility for the dangerous situation the girls found themselves in.
The judge highlighted the severe impact on the 13-year-old girl, who was so intoxicated that she could not stand or see and had no memory of the events.
As a result, Brant was sentenced to 18 months in custody.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order that prohibited him from making unauthorized contact with girls under 16.
This case underscores the serious consequences of exploiting minors and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from predatory behavior.
