Kentish Express Ashford & District
Predatory sex attacker sent to jail for 21 years
Victims weep as court hears how crimes affected them
Three victims of a vile sex attacker wept as their abuser was jailed after they told him: “We will not let you ruin our lives!”
Two of the girls had been so scared that they tried to harm themselves in the run-up to the trial of pervert James Dodd.
But the courageous youngsters overcame their fears and gave evidence at Canterbury Crown Court.
And the trio sat in the public gallery to see Dodd, 36, from Ashford, given a 21-year jail sentence with four more years on licence for his vile attacks – some of which he filmed.
During the 40-minute sentencing hearing, the victims could be heard crying as details of their suffering was relayed to the judge in their own words.
One wrote in her Victim Impact Statement, which was read to the court by prosecutor Walton Hornsby: “It is extremely difficult to put into words everything that’s happened to me, because I have a lot of flashbacks.
“I was extremely anxious about the court case because I knew that he [Dodd] would be calling me a liar. Two weeks ago I felt that I couldn’t face it and I took an overdose and had to go to hospital after I was found unconscious.
“I felt shocked at myself that I had briefly felt that I wanted to end my life but at the time I really felt that I couldn’t come to court and go through being called a liar and having to relive what happened.
“But I actually now feel brighter, better and calmer about the fact that I held my head high and told the truth in front of other people.”
As Dodd sat impassively in the dock, she added defiantly: “I feel that I won’t be beaten by him and what he did... he will not ruin my life!”
Another victim added: “I feel even more hurt that [Dodd] has denied what he has done. I’d like him to own up so I can then get on with my life.”
The court had heard he had chosen his victims over a fiveyear period and then carried out the attacks, which came with violence and threats.
Judge Heather Norton heard how after one victim bravely came forward to reveal the abuse she had suffered as a child, an astute police officer then began an investigation which unearthed two more victims.
But the trial was such an ordeal that two of them harmed t hemselves and needed hospital treatment.
They also revealed they suffered guilt that by speaking out Dodd might face a long sentence.
Judge Norton told them: “They have nothing to feel guilty about, they were children.”
She passed jail sentences totalling 123 years for 13 offences of rape and sex abuse - but made all the sentences concurrent with a 21-year immediate jail term.
The judge then told Dodd he would also have to serve another four years on licence when he is finally released.
Dodd, who now lives in Wickford, Essex, had denied all the charges – even one for downloading a vile sex image found on his own phone – but was convicted by the jury.
He had told a probation officer that he saw himself as the victim.
Judge Norton told him that she believed he had recorded his vile attacks on film – even though detectives were unable to locate a laptop on which he is believed to have transferred the images.