COLIN HUDSON FROM WANDSWORTH SENTENCED FOR HISTORICAL RAPE IN CROYDON

In a significant case that spanned decades, Colin Hudson, a 64-year-old man residing on Geraldine Road in Wandsworth, has been convicted of a serious sexual offense committed in Croydon many years ago. The incident in question dates back to 1978, when a young girl, only 12 years old at the time, was subjected to a brutal act of sexual assault by Hudson. The case was brought to light after the victim, now in her 50s, came forward with her allegations, leading to a lengthy legal process.

On April 19, at Croydon Crown Court, a jury unanimously found Hudson guilty of the charges after a nine-day trial. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the case, including how Hudson had managed to ingratiate himself into the victim’s family and manipulate her into believing they shared a secret romantic relationship. This grooming process was a calculated effort to gain her trust and lower her defenses before the assault.

The victim recounted that in March 2015, she reported to Dorset Police that, as a child, she had been groomed and raped by Hudson at his residence in Croydon. She described how Hudson had pressured her into visiting his home, where he then instructed her to undress and get into his bed. The assault took place in that setting, leaving her overwhelmed and in shock, unable to speak out at the time. It was only after her father’s death in 2012 that she felt confident enough to report the abuse, believing that her allegations would be taken seriously by law enforcement authorities.

Following her report, police officers charged Hudson with rape on June 22, 2016. Throughout the trial, Hudson maintained his innocence, denying any involvement in the crime. Despite his protests, the jury found him guilty based on the evidence presented during the court proceedings. On the day of sentencing, which took place at Croydon Crown Court last Friday, Hudson was sentenced to eight years in prison for his crimes.

This case highlights the importance of perseverance in seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse, especially in cases where the abuse occurred many years prior. It also underscores the critical role of law enforcement and the judicial system in bringing offenders to justice, regardless of how much time has passed since the crime was committed.