SEX VIDEO GANG LED BY EWART HODGE FROM DEPTFORD AND LEWISHAM SENTENCED AT OLD BAILEY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the London boroughs of Deptford, Lewisham, and the wider London area, a group of individuals involved in the production and distribution of a highly inappropriate and illegal home video has been brought to justice at the Old Bailey. The case centers around a gang that recorded a teenage girl engaged in sexual acts with its members, a video that has since caused significant distress and legal repercussions.

One of the key figures in this case, Ewart Hodge, aged 21 and residing on Sparta Street in Greenwich, was already serving an eight-year prison sentence for the rape of a pastor’s daughter. His involvement in this new case further underscores his criminal history and the severity of his actions. Hodge was convicted alongside Daniel Gordon, also aged 21 and from Tanners Hill in Deptford. Both men were filmed by a third member of the group, Lawrence Charles, aged 18 and from Lethbridge Estate in Greenwich, having sex with a Catholic schoolgirl in February 2002.

The victim, a 14-year-old girl at the time, became widely known after the 90-minute tape, titled 'Lethbridge X-rated Part One,' was circulated among residents of a Lethbridge housing estate. The distribution of this explicit material led to further victimization, as the girl, who is now 16, was subjected to additional sexual abuse by other members of the gang, including Adam Parker, aged 22 from Windmill Close in Lewisham, Gerald Rodney, aged 23 from Lethbridge Close in Lewisham, and two other 17-year-old youths who cannot be named due to legal restrictions.

All seven individuals involved pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful sexual intercourse. Additionally, one of the 17-year-olds admitted to attempted unlawful sexual intercourse, while Hodge himself pleaded guilty to indecent assault and a second charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. The court heard how the group’s actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the girl’s feelings, treating her as a mere object to satisfy their own sexual desires rather than as a vulnerable young woman just beyond puberty.

Judge Timothy Pontius sentenced the offenders with seriousness and clarity. Hodge received a two-year prison sentence, which will be served consecutively to his existing term. Parker and Rodney, who is currently incarcerated for robbery, were both sentenced to six months in jail. All three will also be registered as sex offenders. Gordon was sentenced to eight months in prison, while Lawrence Charles received a 12-month community rehabilitation order. One of the 17-year-old boys was given 60 hours of community service, and the other was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders’ institution, having previously been subject to a community rehabilitation order for a sexual offense involving a 12-year-old girl.

This case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding the exploitation of minors and the circulation of illegal explicit material within London communities, prompting authorities to continue their efforts to combat such heinous crimes and protect vulnerable young individuals from further harm.