ALAN WOOLDRIDGE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN HULL

In July 2012, a disturbing case unfolded in Hull involving Alan Grahame Wooldridge, a 40-year-old man whose actions have left a lasting scar on a young girl. Wooldridge, a resident of Bainton Grove in west Hull, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl on two separate occasions within a single day. The assaults were committed as an act of revenge after the girl disclosed to his partner that Wooldridge was engaged in an extramarital affair.

Following a trial at Hull Crown Court, a jury composed of seven men and five women reached a unanimous verdict, convicting Wooldridge of two counts of sexual assault. The court proceedings revealed the profound impact his actions had on the victim, a young girl whose life has been significantly affected by the ordeal.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, presiding over the case, sentenced Wooldridge to eight years in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the severity of the crime and its long-lasting repercussions. He stated, “Your sexual depravity has visited upon her significant and long-lasting repercussions, which I cannot and will not ignore. I sincerely hope she can begin to recover now.” The judge also ordered Wooldridge to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, underscoring the gravity of his offenses.

Wooldridge’s criminal history includes previous convictions for benefit fraud, dishonesty, and multiple instances of driving while disqualified. In addition to his prison sentence, he was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children and from working with them in any capacity.

The case came to light after the girl reported the assaults to the police last year. Despite Wooldridge’s denial of the allegations, the evidence presented at trial was compelling enough to secure a conviction. The victim demonstrated remarkable bravery by choosing to face Wooldridge in court, opting to give live evidence rather than video testimony. Detective Sergeant Craig Nicholson, who led the investigation, described Wooldridge as “a horrible, nasty man who has shown no remorse.”

Sergeant Nicholson praised the victim’s courage, noting, “She had the option of giving video evidence but she wanted to face him in court. Her evidence was compelling. She has been incredibly brave.” He also highlighted the importance of the sentence, stating, “The eight-year sentence should send out a clear message about how seriously the court takes sexual offenses.”

Overall, the case underscores the devastating impact of sexual abuse and the justice system’s commitment to protecting victims and punishing offenders, especially those with a history of criminal behavior. Wooldridge’s actions have not only resulted in a lengthy prison term but also a lifetime registration requirement, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.