PHILLIP HODGE FROM SUTTON BENGER ESCAPES PRISON AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CHILD

In a case that has shocked the local community, Phillip Hodge, a 25-year-old man from Sutton Benger, was recently involved in a disturbing incident involving the sexual assault of a four-year-old girl. The incident has left a deep scar on the family and has raised serious concerns about justice and child protection in the area.

Hodge, who resided on Chestnut Road in Sutton Benger, moved to Scotland in May following a brief online relationship. He met a woman through an internet chatroom, and within just two weeks, he made the decision to leave his job and his home in Wiltshire to live with her in Scotland. However, this move was marred by a grave incident two months later, when Hodge sexually assaulted a young girl, an act that has caused immense distress to the victim's family.

On Tuesday, Hodge appeared before Greenock Sheriff Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual assault. The court sentenced him to a three-year rehabilitation order, a decision that has sparked outrage among the victim's family and local residents. In addition to the rehabilitation order, Hodge was placed on the sex offenders register, a measure intended to monitor his future conduct.

Despite the severity of his actions, Hodge was not sentenced to prison. Instead, he is now planning to return to Chippenham, where he intends to purchase a house and marry his Scottish girlfriend, who is expecting his child in May. His partner has publicly stated her intention to stand by him, further complicating the community's response to the case.

The victim's father expressed his heartbreak and anger over the court's decision, stating that he would have nothing to do with his daughter because she continues to support Hodge. The court was informed that the young girl confided in her parents about the assault, revealing that Hodge had sexually abused her while her mother was watching television nearby.

The child's mother voiced her outrage, describing the sentencing as a mockery of justice. She expressed her belief that her daughter will never fully recover from the trauma inflicted upon her. The father added that his daughter has become fearful of strangers, often running and hiding whenever someone unfamiliar enters their home. He emphasized his desire for the community in Chippenham to be aware of Hodge's actions, stating, “There’s nothing I can do for my child now but I don’t want him to ever put another child through this.”

Hodge's mother, Susan Payne, also from Chestnut Road in Sutton Benger, shared her perspective, revealing that her son's in-laws had quickly taken a dislike to him. She admitted she was unsure of the full details, as Phillip had not shared much about the incident. Mrs. Payne stated that her son had told her he was carrying the young girl down the stairs and that she was not wearing underwear at the time. Despite her belief that her son did not intentionally harm the girl, she expressed her unwavering support for him as her son and anticipated his return home soon, with plans to move to a new house in the Chippenham area.

Hodge's educational background includes attending Sutton Benger Primary School and Hardenhuish School in Chippenham. He later worked at The Bell House Hotel in Sutton Benger, where his mother, Susan Payne, is employed as a chef. The case has left the community grappling with feelings of betrayal and concern for the safety of children in the area, as questions about justice and the adequacy of the sentence continue to be raised.