Blackburn man sentenced for historic rape of 13-year-old

Craig Hodgson, 56, committed the offences more than 20 years ago against the then 13-year-old girl.

Hodgson, of Railton Avenue, was found guilty by a jury of rape and indecent assault at Preston Crown Court last week.

The sentencing hearing today (October 11) heard Hodgson, in his 30s at the time, would allow the victim and two of her friends into his home on multiple occasions.

One of the friends would babysit there, and she was encouraged by Hodgson to bring her friends, one being the victim.

Craig Hodgson (Image: Lancashire Police)

Hodgson falsely told the jury the victim had never been to his house and that he had never met the victim.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Michael Maher described how Hodgson would play truth or dare games with the girls.

He dared the victim and one of the others to kiss each other for his “own sexual gratification.”

He also dared the victim to kiss him on the mouth, and after she seemed apprehensive, he offered her £10, at which point she did so.

When Hodgson’s wife would come home and find multiple drinking glasses around the house, he would lie and say he had been socialising with work colleagues.

Judge Maher also described how Hodgson had a stash of alcohol in his house due to owning an off-licence in Lostock Hall at the time.

On the night of the offences, which took place in 2002, Hodgson had taken the underage girls to a bar “off the main circuit” in Blackburn.

The girls became intoxicated, and when Hodgson took them back to his house, the victim in particular was in a bad way.

The other two girls managed to get out, but Hodgson carried the victim upstairs and carried out the horrific offences.

James Hudson, prosecuting, read out a statement on behalf of the victim which said the events she experienced “have haunted much of my life.”

The statement added: “I felt guilty for the ways I was conned into playing games with a predator.

"It’s something of your darkest nightmares being the victim of a sex offender.”

Keith Harrison, by way of mitigation asked the judge to bear in mind the time that has passed since the offences and the fact Hodgson has been a carer for his wife for the past 12 years.

Judge Maher, in sentencing, said he was satisfied Hodgson had been sexually grooming the victim.

He said: “It’s clear to me you had a sexual interest in underage girls at this time.

“She has tried to bury these memories with little success.

"She has demonstrated great courage and strength of character throughout these proceedings.”

Preston Crown Court (Image: Archive)

Hodgson was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison and must serve two-thirds of that sentence before he can be released on licence.

He will be subject to sexual offender notification requirements indefinitely.

DC Vicky Heys, of Lancashire Police, said: “I would like first and foremost to commend the victim in this case for having the courage to come forward and report what happened to her all those years ago and for the strength to see these proceedings through to this point – I hope that she feels some sense that justice has been done.

“Hodgson is clearly a paedophile who has an interest in young girls and who took steps to groom and then indecently assault and rape a young teenager for his own sexual gratification and irregardless of the lasting damage it would cause his young victim, trauma he effectively made her relive by denying his guilt and forcing her to go through a trial.

“I welcome this conviction and the significant sentence given today and I hope that it gives others who may have suffered similar abuse the confidence to speak to us about what happened safe in the knowledge that we will investigate professionally and sensitively and without fear or favour.”