Wandsworth Man jailed for the historical rape of girl, 12

BY NEWS REPORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

A man found guilty of raping a 12-year-old girl in 1978 has been sentenced to eight years in jail.

A jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict against Colin Hudson, 64, of Geraldine Road, Wandsworth on April 19 at Croydon Crown Court. And on Friday of last week he was sentenced at the same court.

The court heard that in March 2015, the victim, who is now in her 50s, reported to Dorset Police that as a 12-year-old child she had been groomed and raped by Hudson at his home in Croydon.

She described how he had ingratiated himself into the victim’s family and convinced her that he was her boyfriend in a secret relationship.

Before the day of the attack, Hudson pressured the victim to visit his home in Croydon, which she agreed to do.

Hudson then instructed the victim to get into his bed and undress, before he raped her.

The victim described feeling overwhelmed and in a state of shock following the attack, and unable to tell anyone at the time what had happened.

She felt unable to report the allegation to the authorities until after her father died in 2012, when she described having a greater confidence that her allegation would be believed by the authorities.

Officers charged Hudson with rape on June 22, 2016.

During the trial, the suspect continued to deny any responsibility, however a jury found him guilty following the nine-day hearing.

Detective Constable Gregg Nicol, from the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit (CASO), said: “This was a complex investigation into a 40-year historical allegation of rape in which Hudson probably thought he would escape justice after so many years.

I praise the victim’s bravery in reporting her allegation and her determination in seeking a conviction.”

Detective Inspector Simon Dowling, from the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit (CASO), said: “The victim has waited a long time to get the justice she deserves.

I hope this result will mean other victims will have the confidence to come forward to report rape no matter when it happened in their lives.

“The victim has had to live her life after suffering at the hands of Hudson 40 years ago, and although this result will never give her back that time, I hope it will provide some closure and she can now put this behind her.”