RAYMOND HODGSON OF BASINGSTOKE SENTENCED TO 27 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN BRITAIN

In a landmark case at Winchester Crown Court, Raymond Hodgson, a 43-year-old charity worker from Basingstoke, Hampshire, was sentenced to an unprecedented 27 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against nine young girls. The judge overseeing the case, Mr. Justice Martin Tucker QC, emphasized that the severity of Hodgson's crimes was driven by a desire to protect children, including those not yet born, which influenced the length of the sentence. This punishment is notably one of the longest ever handed down for offenses that do not typically warrant a life sentence.

Hodgson's criminal activities spanned a period of several years, during which he exploited the trust of families and manipulated his way into their lives. His initial crimes involved abusing four children, but he managed to evade arrest temporarily by locking police officers inside his residence in Basingstoke. Despite this escape, Hodgson continued his pattern of abuse, targeting an additional five young girls across Britain. His ability to gain the confidence of parents and children alike allowed him to operate under the guise of a charitable worker, which he used as a cover for his predatory behavior.

The police eventually apprehended Hodgson after his photograph was broadcast on the BBC's Crimewatch program. The public response was immediate and overwhelming, with numerous calls flooding in from viewers who recognized him. During the trial, prosecutors presented a disturbing video that Hodgson had made, showing him forcing a six-year-old girl to perform sexual acts. The court was shown the revolting footage, prompting Judge Tucker to condemn Hodgson's actions as "a revolting series of offences" and to acknowledge the danger he posed to society.

Judge Tucker stated, “Having seen in the video the sort of things you were doing, it must be realised what a revolting series of offences these were. When you are eventually at liberty, the overwhelming probability is you will try to do it again. I have got to protect children and unborn children. I am passing a sentence that will keep you inside until your sexual life is on the wane.”

Further details revealed that Hodgson had reoffended after being released from prison, where he had previously been convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl. Upon his release, he targeted girls aged between 6 and 13, continuing his pattern of abuse. His methods included befriending families and gaining their trust, often by working for a charity, which he exploited to access vulnerable children. One young girl recounted how Hodgson pulled her into his bed, stripped her, and removed her pants.

Additional incidents occurred in Gosport, Hampshire, where Hodgson gave an eight-year-old girl a shandy and then sexually assaulted her while she was asleep. The girl woke up to find Hodgson touching her and later confided in her sister, leading to police intervention. When authorities attempted to arrest Hodgson, he deceived them by asking to say goodbye to his landlady, then locked them inside his house and escaped. He subsequently moved to Morecambe under a false name, continuing his abuse by leveraging his charity work to gain access to more children.

During his trial, Hodgson admitted to six counts of indecent assault, four counts of indecency with a child, five counts of taking indecent photographs, and one count of unlawful escape. In his own defense, he claimed ignorance about the reasons behind his actions, stating, “Ninety per cent of the time I am like any other in the street and then situations crop up and I lose control.”

Hodgson’s crimes have left a lasting scar on the victims and have prompted a significant discussion about safeguarding children and the dangers posed by individuals who exploit positions of trust. His lengthy sentence reflects the gravity of his offenses and the court’s commitment to protecting society from repeat offenders.