11 years behind bars for Coventry lawyer who raped Birmingham teen - The Coventry Observer

11 years behind bars for Coventry lawyer who raped Birmingham teen

Coventry Editorial 30th Jun, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

A CITY lawyer has been jailed for 11 years after raping a teenager at her home in Birmingham.

Mark Hodge, a corporate lawyer from Wood End Lane in Fillongley, was found guilty of five offences including rape and sexual assault at Birmingham Crown Court on June 22 following a six-day trial.

The 50-year-old denied the offences, which happened in October 2013, claiming the victim had fabricated the accusations.

But, forensic evidence was presented before the court and the jury found him guilty.




Speaking about the case, Detective Chief Inspector Tom Chisholm, from the force’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Rape is rape and there are no excuses, there is no grey area.

“This young woman has endured months of uncertainty waiting for her abuser to come before the court and I applaud her bravery in coming forward after being assaulted so badly by someone she trusted.


“Sexual crimes can haunt victims long after the offence so I hope the sentencing today can give her some closure and help her to move on with her life.”

West Midlands Police have specially trained Public Protection officers who are able to support and guide victims sensitively and compassionately from initial report to court conclusion.

Det Chief Insp Chisholm added: “We will always take reports of sexual abuse seriously ? and victims needn’t worry that offences occurred many years ago because we can still build compelling cases against offenders.

“I would urge anyone who has suffered abuse, no matter how long ago, to contact West Midlands Police so we can investigate.”

West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit can be contacted on 101, whilst charity Rape Crisis England and Wales can be found at www.rapecrisis.org.uk/

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