Neil Hodkinson – Rudheath

A RUDHEATH man has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a family friend as she was sleeping in his home next to his wife.

Neil Hodkinson, 29, from Edward Street, was found guilty of assault by penetration in August 2015 and later pleaded guilty to conspiring to intimidate a witness who gave evidence during the trial.

Hodkinson appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday, June 10, and was sent to prison for three years and four months for the two offences.

The court heard how a night out with a group friends in Northwich ended with a close friend staying the night at the couple’s Rudheath home and sharing a bed with Hodkinson’s wife.

Hodkinson went into the bedroom in the morning and molested the sleeping woman while his wife slept next to her.

Judge Roger Dutton said: “You were convicted by jury on compelling evidence of a most squalid assault on this young girl who was a guest in your home, lying in your bed and sharing it with your wife.

“What you did will stay with the victim for the rest of her life.
The victim wrote a statement which was read out in court, saying she has had suicidal thoughts.

“I miss the person I used to be,” she said. “I suffer from depression and there isn’t a day goes by without thinking about it. I’ve had suicidal thoughts and at times I have cried myself to sleep.

“The thought of being in a physical relationship with someone sickens me now.”

DC Vicki Shelton said after the sentencing: “The victim and her family have been through an extremely traumatic period over the past two years, the psychological effects on the victim have been life changing.

“Hodkinson has shown no remorse for his actions. I hope this conviction and sentencing for this abhorrent crime will help the victim obtain some form of closure to help her rebuild her life and recover in some way from this dreadful incident.”

Hodkinson was given three years in prison for the assault and an added four months for conspiring to intimidate a witness.

Another friend who was also out that night took to the witness stand during the trial and told of how he had groped her.

After she gave evidence, Hodkinson and his wife exchanged text messages plotting how they would send a message to the witness with a picture of a woman and alleging that her partner had had an affair with her.

Hodkinson’s wife sent the message before the pair went onto laugh about it and ask ‘who’s next?’

Judge Dutton added: “Having left court you connived with your wife to send the most nasty and vindictive message to one of the witnesses.

“You touched her up in a pub and it was right that the jury know that it was sex that was on your mind that night as well as drink.

“You were intent on getting some retribution for her giving evidence. Members of the public must understand that if they do their duty and give evidence and somebody goes to seek retribution, the punishment will be severe.”