Runaway daughter may be pregnant

The parents of a schoolgirl who has eloped with her lover - a convicted criminal almost twice her age - said today that she may be pregnant.

Hannah Machin, 15, has run away with 29-year-old Steven Leicester and the pair have not been seen for almost a week.

Her policeman father, David, 41, found a pregnancy testing kit in her bedroom the night she vanished from the family home in Stevenage, Herts.

David Machin, a police constable with the Hertfordshire constabulary, said: "I'm a police officer, yet I'm powerless to protect my daughter from this crazy man. I don't know where she is or whether she is alive. We haven't slept since she went missing. All we ask is just one phone call to know she is alive."

Hannah fled on Friday after Leicester appeared in court for sentencing on charges of affray and harassment. Luton Crown Court had heard how Leicester, who has 15 previous convictions including for theft and burglary, bombarded Mr Machin and his wife Saroj, with mobile phone text messages after they ordered him to end the eight-month relationship.

The case was adjourned when the judge heard Leicester, from Stanmore, Middlesex, had flouted bail conditions and continued to see Hannah.

He admitted harassing the couple and causing affray. Last night as fears grew for Hannah's safety, the Machins prayed their daughter would call. Mr Machin said: "This man is evil, he's a Svengali figure who preys on naive young girls like my daughter, buys them drinks and takes them out for day-trips to Southend. He brags to them that he is a gangster. He's exciting and fun."

Mrs Machin, 35, a police support worker said: "The worst is not knowing. I try to picture where Hannah is sleeping at night and wonder if she is eating. Hannah may have the body of a young woman but she is a young girl, she's my baby." Mr Machin, who also has a 12-year-old daughter, said he did not know Hannah had made arrangements to meet her lover, a frankingmachine repairer.

He said: "That night, she gave me a big kiss and a hug and said 'Dad, I truly love you'. Later that night I found the front door was open and Hannah was gone. There was an empty pregnancy testing kit in her room and a note left saying how depressed and suicidal she was feeling."

Mr Machin said his daughter's behaviour had radically changed since the relationship began. She started cutting her arms with knives and broken glass. Would miss lessons to be with him, smoked cannabis and often came home "blind drunk". Detective Inspector Dave Cobb, of Hertfordshire police, said: "Leicester is a wanted man and we're extremely worried for Hannah's safety."