Cornwall Council social care manager jailed for sadistic sex attacks

A SOCIAL care manager at Cornwall Council used razor blades to carry out horrific sex attacks. Richard Mason, 47, of Daniel Gardens, Truro, drank the blood of his victims in the sadistic attacks.

Mason, a father of three, was given an indeterminate prison sentence and must serve a minimum of 909 days before being considered for release on licence.

Truro Crown Court heard that the attacks physically and psychologically damaged the two victims, who were in the public gallery to see Mason sentenced on Friday.

Mason, a manager in the adult social care department of the council, had pleaded guilty to three charges of assault by penetration, three of unlawful wounding, one of sexual assault and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Describing the razor incident on one victim, Jason Beal, for the prosecution, said: “He tied her with rope and used a razor blade to make small cuts to her arms and stomach. He drank the blood from her body.”

The court heard that Mason told one victim he would like to “strip her off, cut her up and eat her with a knife and fork”.

Judge Graham Cottle told Mason: “There is no doubt you are a dangerous man.”

The vicious assaults took place between March 2008 and May of this year. The judge said the charges Mason had admitted were sample counts of attacks he had repeated time and again.

Judge Cottle told Mason: “You are a bright, articulate and extremely convincing man, attributes you used to condition, control, dominate and manipulate your victims. It is quite clear that you achieved sexual arousal from gratuitous and nauseous acts of violence.”

After referring to the use of razor blades, Judge Cottle said: “It was a case of domination and control.

“You delighted in causing pain and suffering to both of your victims.

“I have read the victim impact statement where they set out the appalling consequences of the treatment they received at your hands. I have read your letter realistically appreciating what horrifying things you put them through and acceptance that you have a long way to go in addressing the risks you pose.”

Defence counsel Rupert Taylor stressed that Mason had pleaded guilty and had not committed gratuitous attacks on strangers.

Mason worked as a commissioning officer in the adult social care department of Cornwall Council.

The council said it suspended Mason when it became aware of the allegations on May 21 but disciplinary action was put on hold until the end of the court hearings.

The council refused to say whether Mason remained on full pay throughout court proceedings or when he was dismissed.

An internal review had been carried out but it would not respond to questions regarding any previous investigations or possible complaints made by colleagues against Mason. The authority said Mason did not work directly with vulnerable people.

Following the hearing, Detective Sergeant Ian Pengelly said: “Richard Mason was an extremely controlling man who carried out a series of truly shocking crimes which will undoubtedly have a lasting effect on his two victims.”