Justice Catches Up With Wandsworth Rapist After Forty Years
Colin Hudson groomed and raped a 12-year-old girl in 1978
A man from Wandsworth has been jailed for eight years for raping a 12-year-old girl four decades after the crime took place.
A jury at Croydon Crown Court unanimously found 64-year-old Colin Hudson of Geraldine Road guilty earlier this year. He received his sentence this Friday (27 July).
Colin Hudson
The court heard that in March 2015, the victim, who is now in her fifties, reported to Dorset Police that as a 12-year-old child she had been groomed and raped by Hudson when he lived in Croydon.
She described how he had ingratiated himself into her family and convinced her that he was her boyfriend in a secret relationship in 1978.
Before the day of the attack, Hudson pressured the victim to visit his home. Hudson then instructed his victim to get into his bed and undress, before he raped her.
She described feeling overwhelmed and in a state of shock following the attack and unable to tell anyone at the time what had happened. She felt unable to report the allegation to the authorities until after her father died in 2012 when she had greater confidence that her allegation would be believed by the authorities. Officers charged Hudson with rape on 22 June 2016.
During the trial, Hudson continued to deny any responsibility, however a jury found him guilty following a nine-day trial.
Detective Constable Gregg Nicol from the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit (CASO) said, “This was a complex investigation into a 40-year historical allegation of rape in which Hudson probably thought he would escape justice after so many years. I praise the victim's bravery in reporting her allegation and her determination in seeking a conviction.”
Detective Inspector Simon Dowling from the same team said, “The victim has waited a long time to get the justice she deserves. I hope this result will mean other victims will have the confidence to come forward to report rape no matter when it happened in their lives.
“The victim has had to live her life after suffering at the hands of Hudson 40 years ago and although this result will never give her back that time, I hope it will provide some closure and she can now put this behind her.”
July 27, 2018