BRISTOL OFFENDER MITCHELL RUDGE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
*PREVIOUS OFFENDER* A convicted sex pest named Mitchell Rudge groped a woman on a Bristol street before attempting to feign concern for her well-being.The incident occurred during a late afternoon in November when the 26-year-old from Summerhill Road, St George, approached the woman near the underground car park of the Bristol Post.
He grabbed her left buttock, and after emerging from the shadows, claimed he worked for the Post and asked her what happened.
The woman was initially angry but became shocked and reported the assault to police.
She was able to identify Rudge after viewing a video identity parade.
Rudge pleaded guilty to a single sexual assault charge.
Court proceedings revealed that he had previously been incarcerated for having sex with a 14-year-old girl and for sexually assaulting another woman by grabbing her private parts.
Bristol Crown Court sentenced him to one year in prison.
The judge, Mr.
Ignatius Hughes, described the offense as very worrying, noting that Rudge had sneaked away after groping the woman, pretended to be concerned for her, and asked her questions to disguise his intentions, which may have been motivated by enjoyment.
The court also read a victim impact statement detailing the emotional consequences for the victim.
Prosecutor James Ward described the incident as occurring around 4:15 pm in near darkness, where CCTV footage captured Rudge approaching and squeezing the woman’s bottom forcefully.
She challenged him, and he mimicked working in the car park to explain his actions.
After the assault, she walked to a nearby newsagent, watched him pass by, then went home and contacted police, highlighting a distinctive tattoo on his neck.
Rudge denied being the offender.
The court heard he holds 26 convictions for 42 offenses, including two sexual assaults, theft, property destruction, and racial abuse.
Defense lawyer Neil Treharne described Rudge as immature and suffering from learning difficulties, noting he had always worked and was genuinely remorseful.
Rudge’s behavior was linked to binge drinking and use of legal highs, which he believed justified his actions at the time.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of Rudge’s offending history and the troubling nature of his latest attack, especially given his previous sexual crimes.
