STREETLY PAEDOPHILE SAID SEX ATTACKS ON SCHOOLGIRL WERE 'BECAUSE SHE LIKED IT'
A man who claimed he had sexually abused a schoolgirl "because she liked it" has been sentenced to prison.Alan Lodge kissed the victim, performed sexual acts in her presence, and even compelled her to touch him inappropriately.
The 53-year-old would inquire if she "liked it," and the girl, naive, pretended she did in hopes that the abuse would stop sooner.
However, she felt "sick" and has since found it difficult to come to terms with her experiences.
Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that Lodge, then residing in Streetly, committed his offenses between 2022 and 2024.
Having no prior convictions, Lodge admitted to his actions during a police interview.
Prosecutor Laurie Scott stated that he acknowledged deriving sexual pleasure from his crimes.
In a statement read out in court, the girl explained that she has become "withdrawn" and feels "lonely," struggling to leave her home and suffering panic attacks when she tries to do so.
She also reported sleeping difficulties, often waking up from nightmares.
She concluded by saying, "My life will never be the same." In sentencing, Judge John Edwards referenced a letter Lodge wrote to the court, describing it as "very thoughtful and insightful," acknowledging the harm caused.
Nevertheless, the judge emphasized that Lodge’s actions represented the "most egregious offense" committed during a vulnerable period in the victim’s life.
He criticized Lodge’s "distorted logic" outlined in a pre-sentence report, noting: "You clearly knew what you were doing was wrong but felt justified because you believed she was getting pleasure from it." Lodge pleaded guilty to 11 counts of engaging in sexual activities with a child, one count of inducing a child to participate in sexual activity, and one count of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child.
He is now living in Cleveland Way, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, and was sentenced to eight years in prison on Wednesday, May 20, along with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
He will be on the sex offenders register for life.
