Locations
Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14
Description
A 60-year-old man from Trowbridge has been jailed, after he admitted sexually abusing a girl under the age of 13.
Appearing before Salisbury Crown Court two weeks ago, Stephen Hudd, was sentenced to a total of 13 years and 9 months imprisonment for a catalogue of sexual offences against his young victim.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age, three counts of causing a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of assault by penetration.
He will serve at least 12 years and 9 months in custody and be released on licence for a year following this term.
Hudd will also be placed on the Sex Offenders register, preventing him from working unsupervised with children or young people.
In a powerful personal statement read to the court, the girl’s mother said:
"Although my daughter is the victim in all of this, these events and the trauma it has caused has n ot just impacted her. This has had a devastating effect on our entire family, and it has blown our world apart.
“The consequences of his actions have had a huge ripple effect and continue to affect every part of our lives. It is truly heartbreaking. He has ruined everything for her - how she views men, how she views the world, and he has taken the innocence of her childhood away.”
DC Danielle Swanborough said:
"Hudd's selfish and predatory actions have been devastating for his victim and those around her.
“I would like to praise the bravery of the survivor of this abuse and the support we have been given by her family during this investigation. Hudd will now serve a significant amount of time in prison.”