A convicted paedophile who committed appalling crimes against his step-granddaughter has passed away in prison. Raymond Hodges, who was sentenced to 25 years in 2017 for a series of heinous acts, including raping the young girl and subjecting her to a traumatic coat-hanger abortion, died at the age of 78 in HMP Usk in Monmouthshire. The Category C prison primarily houses vulnerable inmates, many of whom are sex offenders. An official report from the prisons ombudsman confirmed that Hodges died from natural causes, specifically a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The case against Hodges saw him found guilty of a total of 24 offences, which included rape, using an instrument to procure an abortion, and other child sex offences. Judge Philip Harris-Jenkins described Hodges’ actions as “extremely depraved sexual abuse”, leading to the lengthy prison sentence. Two years after his conviction, his step-granddaughter Charlotte Wade chose to reveal her identity and share her harrowing ordeal. Hodges, who was the father of Charlotte’s stepdad, would travel from Southend-on-Sea to Barry every month to abuse her. The abuse began when she was just five years old, escalating to rape at the age of seven.
Tragically, by the time Charlotte was 12, she became pregnant from the ongoing abuse, and Hodges resorted to performing an excruciating abortion on her using a coat-hanger. The abuse continued until Charlotte was 14 when Hodges suddenly stopped visiting. Charlotte eventually found the strength to report the crimes to the authorities in 2016. Despite the trauma she endured, Charlotte spoke out in 2019, expressing her relief that Hodges was behind bars and emphasising the importance of seeking justice and healing.
During his sentencing, Judge Harris-Jenkins highlighted Hodges’ lack of remorse and the extreme cruelty he inflicted upon his victim, including beatings and burns to maintain control over her. Following Hodges’ passing, an independent clinical review of his healthcare at HMP Usk was commissioned by the NHS. The review concluded that Hodges received appropriate care equivalent to community standards. However, it identified one recommendation unrelated to his cause of death for healthcare officials to address.
Charlotte’s courage in speaking out and seeking justice serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of survivors of such traumatic experiences. Her bravery in sharing her story not only helped secure justice for herself but also serves as an inspiration for others facing similar challenges. The legacy of Hodges’ crimes and Charlotte’s resilience will continue to spark conversations about the importance of supporting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.