LEAMINGTON CHILD ABUSER LUKE RUDGE SENTENCED FOR LIBRARY FOOT FETISH ASSAULT

In December 2014, a disturbing incident unfolded at Leamington Library involving Luke Rudge, a man with a troubling history of sexual offences. The victim, a woman quietly reading a book in the library, was subjected to a bizarre and frightening assault that left her terrified and shaken.

According to reports, Rudge, who was present in the library, suddenly lay on the floor near the woman, unexpectedly grabbing her ankle. Without warning, he began kissing her foot, an act that was both invasive and unsettling. The woman, taken aback by this bizarre behaviour, tried to distance herself, but Rudge persisted. He then proceeded to sniff her boots, which she had removed to make herself more comfortable while reading. During this unsettling encounter, Rudge commented on her feet, telling her she had beautiful feet, further adding to her discomfort.

Witnesses and subsequent investigations revealed that Rudge had a history of sexual offences, which played a significant role in the severity of his sentencing. The case was brought before Warwick Crown Court, where a judge sentenced him to an extended term of nine years and two months. Rudge, aged 33 and residing on Grove Street in Leamington, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault related to this incident.

Under the terms of his extended sentence, Rudge was sentenced to 14 months in prison, with the requirement that he serve two-thirds of this period. Following his release, he will be on licence for an additional eight years, during which he remains under supervision and can be recalled to prison if his behaviour raises concerns. This extended supervision reflects the serious nature of his offences and the potential risk he poses to the public.

Prosecutor Aliya Rashid highlighted Rudge’s criminal history, noting that in 2011, he was jailed for four years after indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl in a Leamington park. At that time, Rudge had already confessed to that assault while under a community order for another sexual offence. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. He was released in March of the same year after serving two-thirds of his four-year sentence.

In the recent incident, a 57-year-old woman visiting Leamington Library experienced Rudge’s disturbing behaviour. She had taken off her boots to relax when she noticed Rudge staring at her with a smile. Despite her attempts to ignore him, he approached her and began complimenting her legs and feet. The situation escalated when Rudge lay on the floor beneath her legs, grabbed her ankle with both hands, and started kissing her foot. The woman struggled to free herself, but Rudge held on until he eventually let go. He then proceeded to sniff her boots before leaving the scene.

Following the assault, the woman reported the incident to library staff, who promptly contacted the police. Law enforcement officers quickly identified Rudge as the suspect. When questioned, Rudge admitted to his actions, acknowledging his inappropriate behaviour.

During the court proceedings, Rudge’s defence lawyer, Andrew Tucker, explained that Rudge had hoped to access help for his sexual tendencies while serving his previous sentence but was unable to secure a place on a sex offender’s treatment programme. Tucker emphasized Rudge’s awareness of his need for help and his desperation to receive appropriate support.

Judge Alan Parker, presiding over the case, emphasized the seriousness of Rudge’s actions and the potential danger he poses. He stated that during his period on licence, Rudge could be required to participate in a sex offender programme, which he strongly recommended. The judge also described Rudge as a high risk of causing serious harm to the public and declared him dangerous, underscoring the importance of ongoing supervision and intervention to prevent further offences.