JAMES HODGSON OF SPENNYMOOR SENTENCED TO SEVEN-AND-A-HALF YEARS FOR CHILDSEXUAL ABUSE

James Hodgson, aged 68 and a resident of Spennymoor, lives with his wife who fully supports him. Since his release from prison, Hodgson has been staying under the radar, apparently in an attempt to have his heinous paedophilic crimes forgotten. Over several years, he repeatedly abused four children while employed as a caretaker at their school.

An investigation in 2014 revealed that three girls and one boy reported Hodgson for abusing them, which included exposing himself and watching them while they used the toilet. The grandparent from Spennymoor, who had no prior convictions, would give the children gifts in an effort to keep them silent. At one point, he warned a boy that his mother would be killed if he disclosed the abuse.

During the court proceedings, the victims' parents were visibly upset as Hodgson was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. Judge Sean Morris described the testimonies as devastating and emphasized that Hodgson had abused a position of trust, stating that "sexual abuse of any nature ruins lives." Hodgson is expected to serve half of his sentence and will be required to sign the sex offenders register for life.