June 5, 2017 3.34 pm This story is over 80 months old

Man jailed after grooming teenage girl and getting her pregnant

A man who committed sex offences against a teenage girl which led to his victim giving birth to a child has been jailed for nine years at Lincoln Crown Court. John Hogan Stewart began having sex with the girl when she was just 14-years-old and later told her how he wanted her to have his…

A man who committed sex offences against a teenage girl which led to his victim giving birth to a child has been jailed for nine years at Lincoln Crown Court.

John Hogan Stewart began having sex with the girl when she was just 14-years-old and later told her how he wanted her to have his child.

Clive Stockwell, prosecuting, said that when the girl went to police Stewart was interviewed but he denied any sexual contact with her.

Even when DNA evidence proved he was the father of the baby Stewart claimed that the child was the product of a one-off incident which was instigated by the teenager.

Mr Stockwell said the offences have had a significant impact on the life of the victim.

Stewart, 53, of Spring Hill, Reepham, near Lincoln, admitted four charges of sexual activity with a child when he appeared in court today.

He was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and given a lifetime sexual harm prevention order aimed at restricting his behaviour when he is released from his prison sentence.

Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, said that a victim impact statement made by the victim made “harrowing reading”.

He told Stewart: “This offending was, in my judgement, dreadful. There was grooming in this case and there is a significant disparity in age.”

Sharon Watson, in mitigation, said there was concern that her client may have Alzheimer’s disease.

“He has health issues. He receives visits from the Alzheimer’s Society and he is on significant medication. He has a muscle-wasting illness and he has lost something like four stones in weight since his incarceration.”