PAUL HODGSON LOFTUS SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED IN TEESSIDE COURT

In November 2014, a young man named Paul Daniel Hodgson from Loftus was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses involving underage girls. The case came to light when one of the victims, a girl several years younger than Hodgson, disclosed that he had touched her inappropriately in September of the previous year.

According to court reports, the girl was shocked and alarmed when Hodgson attempted to remove an item of her clothing. He then proceeded to touch her private parts over her clothes, an act that was described as sexual contact. The incident was brought to the attention of authorities, and during the investigation, it was revealed that Hodgson had also engaged in sexual communication with another underage girl via social media platforms.

Prosecutor Shaun Dodds explained that after Hodgson's phone was seized, evidence emerged indicating that he had sexual contact with a different girl a few years prior. This second girl, also younger than Hodgson, had initially met him through social media, where they exchanged sexual messages. The court heard that they later engaged in consensual sexual activity, although the girl later expressed feeling pressured into having sex with Hodgson, which she said negatively impacted her education and well-being.

Hodgson, who was formerly residing on High Row in Loftus, admitted to four charges of sexual activity with a child and one charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. It was noted that he had no previous convictions relevant to these offenses. His defense lawyer, David Lamb, stated that Hodgson had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and emphasized that the victims were aware they did not need to testify in court. Lamb also pointed out that the earlier victim was a willing participant in the sexual activity and that there was no significant age disparity between Hodgson and her, asserting that Hodgson was still a minor himself when the offenses began.

Mr. Lamb expressed that Hodgson was genuinely remorseful and upset about his actions, denying any preference for young girls and asking the court for leniency. He argued that Hodgson deserved a chance to move past this phase of his life and continue with his adolescence.

However, Judge Peter Armstrong acknowledged the grooming behavior involved in the case, particularly concerning the earlier victim. He clarified that although the sexual activity was consensual and not forced, the girl was still too young to legally consent. The judge emphasized that the law aims to protect young girls from their own impulses, especially when they are vulnerable.

While recognizing Hodgson’s courage in pleading guilty, Judge Armstrong stated that there was no way to avoid imposing a custodial sentence. Consequently, Hodgson was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with girls under 16 and restricts his internet usage to prevent further offenses.