Stephen Hudd, a 60-year-old from Trowbridge, has been sentenced to 13 years and nine months in prison after admitting to nine counts of sexual abuse against a child under the age of 13. The case was heard at Salisbury Crown Court two weeks ago.
Wiltshire Police confirmed that Hudd pleaded guilty to multiple offenses and will serve a minimum of 12 years and nine months before becoming eligible for parole. Following his release, he will remain on the Sex Offenders Register and will be prohibited from working unsupervised with children or young people.
During sentencing, the victim’s mother delivered a powerful personal statement describing the long-lasting trauma inflicted on her daughter and their family. She shared, “Although my daughter is the victim, this trauma has affected our entire family and shattered our world. His actions have caused a ripple effect that continues to impact every part of our lives. It’s truly heartbreaking. He has destroyed her view of men, her outlook on life, and stolen the innocence of her childhood.”
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Detective Constable Danielle Swanborough condemned Hudd’s actions as “selfish and predatory,” acknowledging the significant devastation caused to the victim and her family. She also commended the courage of the survivor and the invaluable support from her family throughout the investigation. “Hudd will now spend a significant amount of time in prison,” she concluded.