Peter Rudd 61

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A 61-year-old man from Southampton has been jailed for 16 years and nine months for child sex offences in Totton.

Peter Bryan Rudd, of Acacia Road, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court yesterday Thursday (16 July).

Following a five-day trial at the same court, between Tuesday 7 April and Monday 13 April, Rudd was found guilty of raping a child aged 11-years-old and two counts of sexual activity with a child.

His crimes, which took place over a four-year period, were first reported to police in May 2024.

As well as the time he will now spend behind bars, Rudd was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life, handed a lifetime restraining order, preventing him from having any contact with the victim, and made subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Upon his eventual release from prison, Rudd must also complete an additional year of supervision.

Speaking during sentencing, His Honour Judge Rowland, said:

"The victim and their family have all been extremely courageous."

Speaking after sentencing, Police Staff Investigator Rebecca Stevens, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:

“I am very pleased that justice has been served for the young victim in this case, and their family.

Rudd is a sexual predator and extremely dangerous man, who has been placed behind bars for a significant period of time, where he belongs.

“He is now locked up and no longer able to harm any other young person, ensuring children and the wider community are safer as a result.

“Rudd stole the innocence of this child, but I would like to place on record my praise and admiration for the child and their family.

“They have shown incredible strength, courage and determination throughout this investigation.

“While I know this outcome won’t rid the victim and their family of the memories of what Rudd did, I truly hope it allows them to move forward, safe in the knowledge that he is safely locked away."

Directly addressing other victims of sex offences, PSI Stevens, said:

“I also hope this sentence will reassure victims and their families that they will be listened to when reporting similar incidents to us.

“We encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us, as we take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.

“This case should also be a very clear message to other offenders out there that we will always work tirelessly to ensure you are brought to justice and held accountable of for your crimes.”