LEE HODGSON FROM BLYTH SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN TEESSIDE AFTER SLEEPING WITH TEENAGER

In August 2021, a disturbing case of sexual assault came to light involving Lee Hodgson, a resident of Blyth, who was convicted of raping a teenage girl while she was asleep in her own bed. The incident has left the victim profoundly traumatized, and Hodgson was subsequently sentenced to serve time in prison for his actions.

According to court proceedings, Hodgson and the victim initially established a connection through social media platform Facebook. Their online communication spanned approximately five months, during which they built a rapport that eventually led to Hodgson asking to stay at the girl’s residence. The family, trusting Hodgson, agreed and arranged for him to sleep on the sofa downstairs, allowing him to stay overnight.

On the night of the assault, the girl went to bed dressed in a long-sleeve top, pyjama bottoms, and a bra. The following morning, she discovered that her top had been removed without her consent. She found Hodgson lying close to her bed, and upon awakening, he appeared fidgety and avoided making eye contact. Hodgson then made a shocking confession, stating, “You looked sweaty, so I took off your top. I had sex with you while you were asleep. It is not okay because it is rape.”

Following the incident, the girl went to take a shower and noticed bruises on her arms. When her mother inquired about her condition, she claimed she was experiencing “stomach problems,” likely an attempt to conceal the assault. The family promptly asked Hodgson to leave the property, and the incident was reported to the police authorities.

During police interviews, Hodgson referred to the victim as “his ex” and claimed that the sexual encounter was consensual. Initially denying the rape charges, Hodgson later pleaded guilty on the day of his trial at Teesside Crown Court. The victim expressed her belief that Hodgson had deliberately prolonged the court process to “torture her,” adding that the ordeal has severely impacted her mental health. She described feeling “terrified” since the incident, suffering from nightmares where she would wake up “screaming and shouting.”

Her anxiety worsened, leading her to rely on cannabis as a means of calming herself, which further strained her relationship with her family. In response to the incident, her family took precautions by installing CCTV cameras at their home to monitor any potential return by Hodgson. The court ultimately sentenced Hodgson to five years and one month in prison. Additionally, he was issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim, aiming to protect her from further harm.