SAM RUDGE FROM BEWDLEY SLAMMED WITH SUSPENDED SENTENCE AFTER ABUSING UNDERAGE GIRL IN DERBY

In July 2023, a disturbing case unfolded involving a young girl from Derby who was subjected to sexual abuse by Sam Rudge, a man from Bewdley. The incident has left a lasting scar on the victim, who was still a teenager at the time of the assault, and has sparked widespread concern about the safety of minors in the community.

According to court proceedings, the victim, now an adult woman, recounted how her life was profoundly affected by the traumatic experience. She described how, during a New Year’s Eve party, she was given alcohol and found herself alone with Rudge in a private room. She was a virgin at the time, and she explained that the environment was disorienting, with the room spinning around her. It was during this vulnerable moment that Rudge engaged in sexual activity with her, which she described as painful and uncomfortable. She explicitly stated that the act did not feel right and was not consensual in her perception.

The prosecutor, Sarah Phelan, told Nottingham Crown Court that the girl’s suffering was compounded by the fact that she was very young when the abuse occurred. She emphasized that Rudge, who was 29 years old at the time of the trial, had taken advantage of her innocence. The victim’s distress was further highlighted by her decision to report the incident to the police years later, after she had grown older and was able to come forward. Rudge, who resides on Severn Way in Bewdley near Kidderminster, initially denied the allegations but later pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a child on the second day of the trial.

Throughout the legal process, Rudge maintained a stance of silence during police interviews, answering “no comment” to questions. Despite this, he was ultimately convicted and sentenced. Notably, he has no prior criminal record, which was acknowledged during sentencing.

During the court hearing, the victim’s father read a powerful and emotional statement on her behalf. In his statement, he expressed the profound impact the abuse had on her life, stating, “Sam Rudge, you took away my daughter’s innocence and exploited her naivety. She was a child, physically and emotionally abused by you.” He detailed how her life has changed since the incident, noting that she was once a happy individual with a large circle of friends but now only feels safe around her family. The trauma has led her to experience frequent flashbacks, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The victim also shared her ongoing struggles, revealing that she now has multiple locks on her front door and relies on sleeping tablets to manage her daily life. Her physical health is poor, but her mental health has deteriorated even more. Her parents have had to go to great lengths to support her, and she expressed frustration that Rudge’s initial denial prolonged her suffering for three agonizing years while awaiting trial. She concluded her statement with a message of resilience, asserting that she is now stronger and determined to prevent Rudge from harming another woman.

In sentencing, Judge Jonathan Bennett imposed a two-year prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. As part of the conditions, Rudge is required to complete 175 hours of unpaid work, attend 55 rehabilitation sessions, and participate in a 43-day sex offender treatment program. Additionally, he was handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the sex offender register for the same duration, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.