In 2021, the Offender Database recorded that David Hodges, then 57, was jailed for 40 months for grooming a decoy he believed was a 13-year-old girl. On Tuesday, 4 May 2021, Hodges appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court for sentencing. The court reported that the “prolific” offender had travelled across the country from Hampshire to Oldham, Greater Manchester, to meet the child, only to be intercepted by the vigilante group Confronted and Caught.
The investigation established that Hodges used the username “Hubblebubble99” on Chat Avenue to contact the decoy. He told the account she made him feel “tingly” and discussed touching her breasts and genitals. He sent explicit pictures and videos of himself, one of which inadvertently showed a letter revealing his identity and address in Western Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth. When he arrived in Oldham last month, he was confronted by vigilantes and handed over to Greater Manchester Police. Upon his arrest at Ashton Police Station, he was found with two unauthorised mobile phones and made a full confession, admitting a sexual interest in children.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Hodges was a serial predator who had consistently defied court orders. Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard from Prosecutor Peter Malone, who revealed that Hodges had been convicted in July 2017 at Portsmouth Crown Court for possessing indecent images and extreme pornography. In May 2018, he was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court for attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming. Judge Sophie McKone noted that neither previous prison sentences nor Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs) had deterred him from his “ultimate goal” of having sexual activity with a real child.
The judge noted that Hodges was a significant danger to the public, despite his defence counsel, William Donnelly, presenting a letter of apology in which the defendant described his own thoughts as “abhorrent.” For his actions in Oldham, Greater Manchester, and his breaches of an SHPO, Hodges was handed an extended sentence. The prosecution reported that the court felt it necessary to ensure he remained under strict statutory supervision for a prolonged period following his eventual release.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, David Hodges was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 40 months in prison.
- Extended Licence: Two years of mandatory supervision following release.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- SHPO: Continued and strengthened Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Hodges is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Greater Manchester Police, Hampshire Constabulary, and the prison estate. Due to the “prolific” nature of his offending across Oldham, Greater Manchester, and his previous history in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and Cardiff, his management is subject to the highest level of oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Hodges must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Western Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth, for the rest of his life. Authorities state that his history of using digital platforms to target children necessitates permanent and intense scrutiny of his internet access. Any breach of his registration conditions, his extended licence, or his SHPO will result in immediate arrest and a return to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.