DEAN HODGES SHAW SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE AT MANCHESTER COURT

Dean Hodges, a resident of Shaw, was found guilty of a serious sexual assault involving a teenage girl. The incident, which took place approximately ten years ago, came to light only recently after the victim decided to report the crime to the police. Hodges, aged 25 at the time of sentencing, appeared before Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday, May 20, to face sentencing for a charge of rape, to which he had pleaded guilty during his trial.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that the assault occurred when Hodges was just 15 years old, and his victim was only 13. The case had remained largely undisclosed until the victim, now an adult, contacted law enforcement authorities, prompting an investigation that ultimately led to Hodges's arrest and formal charges. The court heard harrowing details from the victim, who recounted how Hodges persisted despite her protests, ultimately raping her and causing profound emotional and psychological trauma.

The victim described the incident as a betrayal of her trust and respect, leaving her with lasting scars. She shared that the experience has led to ongoing mental health struggles, including anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm as her way of coping with the pain. The court was also informed that Hodges was already serving an 11-year sentence, handed down in December of the previous year for multiple sex offenses, which underscored the severity of his criminal history.

In addition to the existing sentence, Hodges was sentenced to a further two years and eight months in prison, to be served concurrently with his current incarceration. The judge also ordered him to adhere to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, aimed at protecting the public from any future offenses. During the sentencing, Judge Neil Usher emphasized that Hodges must have been fully aware that the victim did not consent, and his actions inflicted significant emotional trauma. The judge highlighted how the victim’s trust was shattered and how the ordeal caused her feelings of humiliation, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

Hodges’s defense lawyer, Gwen Henshaw, argued that her client was an immature young man facing personal difficulties and claimed that he has since changed since the offenses. However, the case underscores the devastating impact of sexual violence, especially when committed against minors, and the lasting damage it inflicts on victims. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such crimes are regarded and the importance of justice for those affected.