MICHAEL ROBERTS FROM PUCKLECHURCH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN BRISTOL

In October 2011, a disturbing case unfolded involving two men from the small village of Pucklechurch who were found guilty of heinous crimes against a young girl. The Bristol Crown Court heard that Michael Roberts, aged 26, and Steven Hudd, aged 28, had established a relationship with the girl when she was under the age of 14. Over the course of their acquaintance, both men engaged in sexual activities with her, actions that have now led to their conviction and subsequent imprisonment.

Despite their denials of wrongdoing, the jury convicted both men after a thorough trial. Michael Roberts was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a girl under 16, while Steven Hudd was convicted of more severe charges, including sexually assaulting a child under 13 and committing four separate rapes of a girl under 13. The court, however, did not disclose the girl’s name or her exact age, citing legal restrictions designed to protect minors involved in such cases.

Judge Michael Roach sentenced Hudd to ten years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes and the callous manner in which he treated the young girl. Roberts received a five-year sentence, reflecting the court’s assessment of his involvement. In addition to their prison terms, both men were subjected to Sexual Offences Prevention Orders, which are intended to prevent them from having contact with children in the future.

The victim’s mother, who attended the sentencing via video link from a separate room, expressed her relief and satisfaction with the outcome. She described the ordeal as “horrible” and conveyed her daughter’s relief that justice had been served. She stated, “This was a horrible, horrible thing to have to go through and my daughter’s just pleased justice has been done. I am glad that the justice system has seen right to convict these two men and remove them from our streets. No sentence would have been long enough to restore my daughter’s innocence. However, I am happy with today’s result and would like to thank the police and witness support for everything they have done for me and my family throughout this horrendous ordeal.”

Prosecutor Edward Burgess revealed that the jury reached a unanimous verdict after deliberating for 15 hours. It was noted that Roberts had no prior convictions, whereas Hudd had a previous conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which added context to the case.

During the hearing, defense representatives highlighted the personal circumstances of the accused. Nigel Fryer, representing Hudd, explained that his client had been remanded in custody for a week, which had a significant emotional impact on him. Fryer described Hudd as coming from a loving background, generally friendly, and eager to help others. He argued that the convictions had devastated Hudd’s life, causing him to lose his job at a slaughterhouse and endure considerable stress.

Similarly, Charles Row, defending Roberts, requested a merciful sentence, emphasizing that Roberts was unlikely to reoffend and was not considered a risk to the public. Row described Roberts as devastated and noted that his family was also deeply affected. He presented eleven references praising Roberts as “selfless, kind, compassionate, fun-loving, and loyal,” underscoring the complexity of the case and the human impact involved.

Overall, the case has left a lasting impact on the community of Pucklechurch and highlights the importance of justice in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation and abuse.