A Wandsworth man found guilty of raping a 12-year-old girl in 1978 at his home in Croydon has been jailed.

Colin Hudson, 64, of Geraldine Road, was sentenced to eight years in jail today (July 27) at Croydon Crown Court following a unanimous guilty verdict by the jury.

In March 2015, the court heard that the victim – now in her 50s – reported to Dorset Police that, as a 12-year-old, she had been groomed and raped by Hudson.

Hudson “pressured” the victim to visit his home and then instructed her to get onto his bed and undress before raping her.

The victim described being overwhelmed and “in a state of shock” following the attack, but feared telling anyone at the time about what had occurred.

In June 2016, Hudson was charged by officers with rape.

Despite continuing to deny any responsibility, the jury found him guilty following a nine-day trial.

Detective Inspector Simon Dowling, from the Met’s child abuse and sexual offences unit, said: “The victim has waited a long time to get the justice she deserves. I hope this result will mean other victims will have the confidence to come forward to report rape no matter when it happened in their lives.

“The victim has had to live her life after suffering at the hands of Hudson 40 years ago and although this result will never give her back that time, I hope it will provide some closure and she can now put this behind her.”