PHILLIP HODGES FROM MALPAS, NEWPORT, SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR BRUTAL KIDNAPPING AND ATTEMPTED MURDER

In a case that has shocked the local community, 16-year-old Phillip Hodges from Malpas, Newport, was convicted of a heinous crime involving the kidnapping, attempted murder, and attempted rape of a six-year-old girl. The incident took place during the Jubilee weekend, a time typically associated with celebrations, but was overshadowed by the severity of Hodges' actions.

According to court proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, Hodges was seen playing in the street with a group of children in the Malpas area when he suddenly seized the young girl, dragging her into nearby dense woodland. The area, known for its quiet residential streets and local parks, became the scene of a terrifying assault. Hodges attempted to strangle the girl by squeezing and stamping on her neck, an act that left her fighting for her life.

Following the attack, Hodges reportedly tried to sexually assault the girl. Believing she was dead after the assault, he then attempted to conceal her body by burying her in the undergrowth, leaving her partly unclothed and covered with leaves and earth. The brutality of the attack was compounded by Hodges' subsequent actions, which demonstrated a disturbing level of violence and disregard for the victim's life.

Approximately thirty minutes after the assault, Hodges returned to the girl’s family home, claiming he had lost her while they were playing in the woods. This statement was made in the vicinity of Malpas, a neighborhood within Newport, South Wales. The girl’s family and local residents, upon hearing this, organized a search of the woodland area. The search lasted for about an hour before they discovered the girl, who was found partially covered by foliage and in a state that made her difficult to recognize.

Hodges was arrested and brought before the court, where he faced charges of attempted murder, attempted rape, and kidnapping. The jury found him guilty on all counts. The judge, citing the severity of the crime, decided to lift the usual juvenile protections that typically shield minors from publicity in such cases. As a result, Hodges' name was publicly disclosed.

On the day after his 16th birthday, last Thursday, Hodges was sentenced to life imprisonment for his actions. The judge described the crime as “evil,” emphasizing the gravity of the offense and the impact on the young victim and her family. This case has left a lasting scar on the community of Newport and serves as a stark reminder of the potential for violence among youth in the area.