A PERVERT who repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped a young girl has finally been brought to justice.

Lawrence Hodge carried out a horrific campaign of abuse which has left his victim traumatised for life.

The 73-year-old's offences took place in Middlesbrough from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s while the victim, starting when the victim was under ten.

Hodge's victim came forward in autumn 2018 to report the abuse she suffered at his hands until she was a teenager.

In a powerful victim impact statement, the woman told the court how his abuse had ruined her life.

She said: "This has had such a massive impact on my life and it has been difficult to put into words my feelings, words just don't do it justice.

"My childhood wasn't a normal childhood which caused a lot of unsettlement. I experienced a lot more than any child should have to experience.

"He destroyed my ability to have a normal relationship. He made my experience things sexually and emotionally that I just can't forget."

The victim said she moved away from the Teesside area when she was 19 as she feared bumping into her abuser and she spoke of how the abuse it had impacted on the way she parented her own children, leaving her over-protective and constantly worried about their whereabouts.

Katherine Robinson, prosecuting, reminded the court that Hodge's sentence would have to reflect the period of time when the abuse occurred.

Hodge, of Ullswater Avenue, Middlesbrough, was found guilty of ten charges of sexual offences following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Andrew Rutter, in mitigation, said his client would deny the offences until 'the day he died'.

He said his client required dialysis three times a week and the custodial sentence would impact on his health.

Recorder Thomas Moran sentenced Hodge to 15 years in custody with his licence period being extended by another year after he 'exploited' his young victim.

"You took the opportunity whenever it occurred, in multiple settings, to abuse and you would also create opportunities where you could abuse her," he said. "You became extremely confident about your ability to abuse her."

Hodge was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Welcoming the sentence, Detective Chief Inspector Deb Fenny, of Cleveland Police’s Children and Vulnerable Adults Team (CAVA), said: “No doubt Hodge thought he had evaded being brought to justice for his crimes but this case serves as a stark reminder – as well as reassurance to any other victims – that police will always listen to, believe and support anyone reporting such offences, no matter how long ago they took place.

“Our specially trained officers will always do everything in their power to bring perpetrators before the courts.”

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