TERRENCE BUDD FROM LITTLE HORTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN BRADFORD AND WALES

In a case that has shocked the community of Little Horton and the wider Bradford area, 59-year-old Terrence Budd was sentenced to a total of six years and nine months in prison for heinous sexual offenses committed against a 12-year-old boy. The incident and subsequent legal proceedings have brought to light the disturbing actions of a man who was entrusted with the care of a young child but betrayed that trust in the most grievous manner.

Following his arrest in Caernarfon, North Wales, last Friday, authorities uncovered that Budd had been hiding in a bus shelter after strong winds had destroyed the tent he was using as a makeshift refuge. His arrest came after a nationwide police operation was launched, triggered by his failure to appear before Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on May 14. This absence prompted a warrant for his arrest, leading to his eventual capture in Wales.

Prior to his arrest, Budd had pleaded guilty in March at Bradford Crown Court to one count of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency involving the young boy. The court heard that the abuse had left the victim deeply traumatized, to the extent that the child had constructed a barricade around his bed to prevent Budd from harming him further. The judge presiding over the case, Judge James Barry, did not hold back in his condemnation of Budd, describing him as a "grave and serious danger to youngsters."

Judge Barry emphasized the betrayal of trust involved in the case, noting that Budd was supposed to be a caretaker for the boy, who was only 12 years old at the time. The child's home was located 300 miles away, making it easier for Budd to commit the offenses without immediate supervision. The judge also highlighted the child's distress, revealing that the trauma was so severe that the victim had taken measures to protect himself, such as building a barricade around his bed. The judge further pointed out that Budd, who had a history of similar offenses, appeared to dismiss the gravity of his actions, citing the availability of counseling for children as a sign that his behavior was less serious.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Barry condemned Budd's lack of remorse and his potential threat to other children. He described him as someone with no proper concern for his potential victims, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes. The court's decision reflects the gravity of the offenses and the need to protect vulnerable children from individuals like Budd.

Budd's criminal history is extensive. Born on the Isle of Sheppey and having previously resided in London before moving to Bradford, he has a long record of sexual offenses. In 1985, he was sentenced to four years at Peterborough Crown Court after admitting to six charges of indecent assault on three boys under the age of 16. Later, in 1992, he received another four-year sentence at Leeds Crown Court for similar offenses. It is important to note that these convictions predated the establishment of the National Paedophile Register, meaning that Budd was not listed as a registered sex offender at the time of his recent crimes.

In mitigation, his legal representative, Nicholas Askins, explained that Budd had traveled to Wales to visit family and to pay respects at his mother’s grave. However, Askins acknowledged that Budd’s failure to appear in court was a serious mistake, describing him as having appeared in a "pathetic figure" when police found him in the bus shelter. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the ongoing need to protect children from predatory individuals in communities like Little Horton and beyond.