A martial arts instructor and Brixham Paedophile, Derek Ross Hodder, who exploited his position to sexually assault females over a prolonged period exceeding thirty years, was sentenced to 28 years in prison, back in 2022.
Derek Hodder, commonly recognised in the Brixham community by his middle name Ross, perpetrated rape and indecent assault on nine females aged 13 to 17, with the support of his family and friends, who continue to stand by him.
He cultivated, mentally manipulated, and exploited a series of young and vulnerable victims, leveraging his participation in martial arts to establish proximity to them. He sought them for his own sexual pleasure, used their naivety, alienated them from their families, and manipulated them through gift-giving while maintaining the facade of a ‘secret’.
Derek Hodder perpetrated his offences while preserving a seemingly reputable status in the construction industry and within the South Devon martial arts scene. In private, he boasted about his toughness and asserted that he instilled fear in others.
His immoral conduct was revealed when a 17-year-old girl accused Derek Hodder of rape. An additional eight women then emerged, presenting the same allegations. In June, a jury at Exeter Crown Court found Hodder guilty of 33 out of 37 charges, including rape, indecent assault, sexual activity with a child, and child indecency.
Following the judgments, Derek Hodder, who refuted all claims, dismissed his legal team, resulting in delays. However, the 65-year-old resident of Garlic Rea, Brixham, returned to court on Thursday, November 3, to get his punishment.
Approximately 25 members of the public, including numerous victims and their relatives, observed as Judge Timothy Rose imposed the punishment on the offender. Judge Rose stated: “Your modus operandi was to influence and convince them that their parents were detrimental to their well-being, positioning yourself as the compassionate alternative.”
You capitalised on every vulnerability you identified, establishing psychological dominance over them all. This prolonged habit of criminal behaviour evolved into a lifestyle. You engaged in sequential predatory behaviour as an active paedophile.
All nine complainants were victims of your sexual misconduct. Four individuals were subjected to repeated instances of rape, in addition to other acts. The misconduct commenced in your early 30s and persisted until you reached the age of 61.
Your sexual offences occurred almost unabated throughout that duration. You were apprehended in February 2018 as you were in the process of preparing your subsequent victim.
Your offences exhibited a consistent pattern of activity that became habitual, resulting in the commission of several infractions. Your approach involved isolating them from their family and cultivating a psychological grip, instilling dread and exerting dominant control.
He stated that Derek Hodder portrayed himself as a carer and protector of the girls, when in reality, he was an abuser “concealed in plain sight.” The judge commended the courage of the victims for their willingness to come forward and acknowledged the police officers who conducted the investigation.
He asserted that Derek Hodder has an “insatiable desire” to exploit youngsters and adolescents. The offender was informed that he must complete two-thirds of his sentence prior to becoming eligible for parole.
The abuse occurred from 1986 until 2018. The police initiated their investigation in 2018 following allegations made by a 17-year-old girl.
Numerous victims reported that they encountered Hodder via the martial arts club he operated. Several girls recounted that the initial interaction occurred during massages or Shiatsu sessions, which escalated to sexual activity with the removal of their garments.
They frequently visited his club to enhance their self-assurance, but instead were used, molested, and mistreated by the overbearing Derek Hodder.
A woman reported that he provided her with weed and bragged about his massage skills. She experienced discomfort as his hands roamed, although considered it to be a “adult matter”.
During the subsequent massage session, he arranged candles and incense throughout the room and made contact with her breasts. Subsequently, their interaction escalated to sexual activity; however, she experienced overwhelming panic and confusion, preventing her from halting him.
Another witness stated that Derek Hodder praised her beauty when she was 13, and this became sexual when she turned 14. She now recognised that she had been groomed, but at the time, Hodder had rendered it seem “normal.”
A different young girl who attended his martial arts club reported that Hodder had groped her breasts when she was 15 and informed her that she need not feel ashamed of deriving pleasure from it.
Other victims characterised Hodder as domineering and possessing an influence on them. He would pout in the absence of sufficient attention from them and exploit their vulnerabilities. “He was determined to obtain his desires,” stated one.
He perpetrated a minimum of 74 distinct rapes on four victims. A prior trial in 2021 was terminated after Derek Hodder experienced cardiac complications midway through.
His complications continued throughout the 2022 trial, resulting in delays as he had medical treatment in the hospital. Derek Hodder was transported to court from detention, but did not present himself in the dock to receive his sentencing.
There were audible gasps from victims’ families in the public gallery on hearing he was unwell, and Ms Rachel Drake, prosecuting, said Derek Hodder had made a “cowardly” decision not to attend. Mr Kevin Hopper, defending, said the defendant was unwell. A video link was arranged, and he watched the sentencing proceedings remotely.
A second defendant, Leslie Coldrick, aged 68, of Paignton, was found not guilty of two offences of rape and one of indecency with a child and walked free from court in June.
Lisa Cassidy, district crown prosecutor, said after the case: “I welcome the conviction of Derek Hodder, who committed appalling offences against young victims.
“His work as a martial arts coach gave him access to young children, and he exploited this over many years. He showed a clear pattern of abuse, grooming young girls and encouraging them to distance themselves from the adults in their lives.
“I would like to commend and thank the victims for their strength in coming forward to support this prosecution and in telling what happened to them. The CPS worked closely alongside our partners in the police to build the strongest possible case against Hodder to ensure he was held responsible for these devastating crimes.
“The CPS is committed to delivering justice for the victims of rape and sexual assault. We want every victim to have the confidence that their case will be fully investigated by the police and that, in every case where our legal tests are met, the Crown Prosecution Service will charge and prosecute.”
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Jerry Godfrey said: “This is the outcome of a four-year investigation by specialist officers within Torbay’s Public Protection Unit [PPU] who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the victims received some sense of justice.
“Whilst the sentence is significant and reflects the gravity of offending, it is not lost on me that the impact of Hodder’s horrific conduct will have a life-long effect on all of the victims involved. Hodder demonstrated he is a very dangerous human being, utilising his position within the community and taking advantage of these young girls whose safe spaces were compromised by his predatory behaviour.
“I commend the victims for their strength of character, resolve and their ongoing support and trust with the investigation to seek justice. I hope that today’s sentencing can provide them with a sense of closure and comfort that he can no longer harm them, or anyone else, in this abhorrent way.”
Head of PPU Detective Superintendent Sharon Donald said: “Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to supporting survivors of rape and serious sexual assault, and I hope the outcome of this investigation shows that time isn’t a barrier, and no matter how long ago an offence took place, we will always fully investigate these types of crimes.
“I would urge any victims to please talk to us. We have specially trained officers who work closely with partner organisations to provide support to victims and witnesses through every step of the process, from the time of reporting right through to the trial and beyond.”
The officer in the case, [OIC] Detective Constable Diane Gaze, said: “I am very relieved for all the victims and their families that this case has finally reached its conclusion. I have been the OIC for the whole investigation since the first victim came forward in February 2018 and feel privileged to have worked with each of these brave women and to have achieved a sense of justice.
“Most of the victims were adults when they came forward to speak with the polic,e and it has been a difficult process to put themselves through. Their assistance was imperative to this investigation. I hope that the courage that they have shown in supporting this process throughout might convince others in a similar position to come forward and have their voices heard.”
Lisa Cassidy, District Crown Prosecutor for the CPS South West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “Hodder’s work as a martial arts coach gave him access to young children and he exploited this over many years. He showed a clear pattern of abuse, grooming young girls and encouraging them to distance themselves from the adults in their lives.
“I would like to commend and thank the victims for their strength in coming forward to support this prosecution and in telling what happened to them. The CPS worked closely alongside our partners in Devon and Cornwall Police to build the strongest possible case against Hodder to ensure he was held responsible for these devastating crimes.
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