Abuse from this man made me want to die
Wednesday 10th September 2008, 2:30PM BST.
A VICTIM of paedophile Eugene Hughes spoke yesterday of how being abused by him led her to attempt suicide. She was speaking as other potential victims contacted the police yesterday in the light of the Guernsey Press’s reporting of Hughes being jailed.
The woman, who asked not to be named, said Hughes had repeatedly abused her over a five-year period.
‘I don’t trust men and I don’t trust being alone with men,’ she said. ‘It turned me into a nervous wreck.’
Hughes, 80 (pictured), was sent to prison for six-and-half years on Monday after admitting eight counts of indecent assault on girls between the ages of seven and 14. When sentencing, the Royal Court took two further offences against the woman, now 23, into account.
‘When it first happened I tried to kill myself,’ said the woman.
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Why only 6 and a half years?
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Far too lenient.
Age should not be a factor.
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Absolutely disgusting! no pity no forgiveness who could ever give a reference or stand by an evil monster such as this man! he is no pilar of our society! louise mckenna
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As a kid I was sent to Eugene Hughes Judo school and I can only say as I find, he acted totaly and 100% professional he did only his job and that was to teach. As far as I’m concerned he is a good man and I am totaly shocked by these events that has come out….
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John Blatchford how can you say that he is a good man he is a convicted paedophile. It sounds as though the only reason he did not touch you was because you were a little boy.
I knew Eugene when I was a little girl and there was always something odd about him. He asked me to go to Judo and I said no, he told me then that if I did I would have to strip down to my underwear so that he could weigh me. He is a complete sicko!
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Thank God that this man was caught, who knows how many other lives he has or could have ruined.
Finally the Police have done something right, but this is just one case.
I know of more cases that have the same circumstances as this one, historic evidence and victims coming forward, but they were not followed through by the Police as ‘there is a lack of evidence because it’s a historical case’. What’s the difference between this case with Eugene Hughes and these ones?
I don’t think there’s any and I find it shocking that only a few peodophiles have been convicted over here. I wonder how fast the Police would jump if it were their own children that were being abused??
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I can’t believe anyone on here is defending the guy… John Blatchford – I think you meant to say ‘he appeared to be a good man’. He admitted 8 counts of indecent assault against children – these are not the actions of a good man!
Also I find it shocking (or maybe not so…) that members of the Catholic church defended him… I know religion teaches us to forgive but try telling that to the parents of the girls that were assaulted…
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One thing this case does show is just how long something like this can be going on without it resulting in charges being brought. These offences happened years ago but have only now come to light. Yes, abused children are these days now far more likely to bring a complaint to somebody’s attention but in days gone by the number of kids who must have suffered in similar circumstances and kept quiet about it is truly sickening.
Interesting that it made the front page headlines and received so much coverage. Other similar cases, albeit arguably not quite so extensive, have not always made the front page. All credit to the GP though for making sure that the report really makes maximum impact both on and off the island (online version). No question of a Jersey-style media cover-up here and that’s 100% correct.
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I feel I must now defend my self to JO &
W H Bonney. As I said I once knew the man from Judo when I was just a small boy. He never touched me! However I am very very shocked that this Man did! An alful shame. Why Eugene? Why?
I only hope his vicitms will be able to put this terrible night mare to rest (I hope for them)
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Good job he never had a splif in his pocket when arrested….he would have got life.
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6and a half years,a complete joke if he plays by the rules he will be out in 3,and those poor people have to live with that mental trauma.the courts are not consistent,u get this sicko with 6and a bit years,and people gettin alot more 4soft drugs like cannabis.i no all may not agree with me(but its a choice,u either smoke or not that should be your human right)but people like that who are protected in prison society(put on there own wing with there own kind)should get alot harsher sentances because those poor people are still suffering,and who wants people like that in our society.
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its ok people dont worry and panic the education council have made sure this man feels at home right by a NEW school!!
all he needs to do is escape like a prisoner did not so long ago!
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This case is perverse. How can any right minded judge only give 8 months per offense? You would get more than that for stealing a car! It is insanity and spits in the face of every one of this pedophiles victims. This judge has totally lost touch with reality. The sentence is completely out of touch with what the community expects. Justice has not been served.
How did this happen? not much of a deterence for any other sickos out there and not much of an incentive for other victims to come forward.
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I am one of the victims of his abuse, the one that first came forward to the police and firstly i have to say how disgusted i am by John Blatchfords comments. I cannot believe that anyone could defend a man who inflicted such sick torture on us CHILDREN, i dont want to speak for the other victims as only each individual knows the terrible pain they went through and are still going through, but i personally have had my life destroyed by this EVIL man, I was a child, an INNOCENT child, and that man used his position to abuse me for 5 years, he took away my childhood and noone can EVER give that back to me,even if the court had given him life, it would NEVER have been enough,But i personally have some comfort now knowing that he will NEVER be able to take away another childs life,And that hopefully my 4 year old daughter and her generation will not have to suffer at the hands of these sick people. So MR Blatchford next time you think this man is a nice guy, just try to put yourself in our shoes for just one minute and imagine the sheer ignorance of comments that you have made.
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I was a member of the Hugh Francis School of Judo for many years including all the years when these offences took place. I do recall saying to my Father at the time I did not like the way he was with us, very touchy feely, but my Father in his true uncaring stubborn manner just told me to get on with it.
I am shocked at this but not surprised. Kids know instinctively when something is not quite right, its ashame sometimes that parents don’t listen, though they do more today.
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