RICHARD BUDD, WESTON-SUPER-MARE PAEDOPHILE, SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN JAIL

In October 2017, Richard Budd, a 75-year-old retired man from Weston-super-Mare, appeared at Taunton Crown Court to be sentenced for serious sexual offenses against an 11-year-old girl. Budd admitted to two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by digital penetration and five counts of indecent assault. During the hearing, he read a remorseful apology aloud in court, though he avoided eye contact with his victim, who was present to witness the sentence.

He expressed his regret, stating, "There are no words to express how truly and profoundly sorry I am for my actions and the utter devastation my actions have caused. There is no apology humble enough to heal the damage I have done to the people I love. I knew I was doing wrong, but I did not understand the shame, the fear and damage I was causing. I can do nothing to make things better."

Prosecutor William Hunter explained that the abuse was first uncovered in 2009 when the victim wrote a letter to her mother, revealing the abuse that had taken place between ages 11 and 13. "She put the letter in an envelope, put it on the table and ran out of the room," Hunter recounted. "In it, the girl disclosed that between the ages of 11 and 13, she had been abused by him."

Following the revelation, Budd was confronted by the girl's mother and admitted his wrongdoings. He and his wife then moved out of the area. Hunter noted that at the time, the girl did not feel strong enough to report the abuse to police. The case was eventually brought to authorities years later, and upon arrest, Budd gave a no comment interview.

Defence solicitor Patrick Mason presented background details, stating that Budd had grown up in a difficult family environment and experienced 'unusual and confusing' times during boarding school. Mason added, "He has been married for over 50 years and has never been convicted of any crime before. In most aspects of his life, he’s a mild-mannered man—although he accepts that he committed these terrible crimes."

The judge, Judge David Ticehurst, sentenced Budd to six years in prison, with an additional 12 months on extended license. He commented, "You are 75 years old and had lived a long and decent life—but it was a life blighted by your sexual abuse. You have destroyed the last years of your marriage and caused untold harm to your victim. I hope you think it was worth it—all that destruction and harm to gratify your perverted sexual interest in a child."

In addition to prison, Budd was ordered to sign the sex offender’s register for life, subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, and required to pay a surcharge of £170.