'I have never truly felt seen': Victim of historic sex abuse bravely speaks out as paedophile finally brought to justice
28.04.2022 - 08:57
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A paedophile who 'systematically' sexually abused a young girl over three years - in what police called a 'truly horrifying' ordeal for her - has finally been brought to justice. And his victim, now aged in her 30s, has bravely spoken out to detail the extent of the suffering she endured and continues to endure - also revealing her initial pleas for help to stop him fell on deaf ears.
Gerard King, 59, abused his victim to 'fulfil his own sexual gratification', police said after he was sent to prison. His victim, now living in Tameside, reported him on several occasions to numerous different professional agencies at the time, but didn't receive the support she needed to take a case further, detectives who led the investigation into King said.
She came forward to police in Cheshire in 2020 and gave a series of statements, testimony which led to criminal charges being brought against him. King, of Rochdale Road, Bury, went on to plead not guilty in court, meaning his victim had to relive the abuse she suffered at his hands by giving evidence against him at his trial, but was found guilty by a jury and subsequently jailed by a judge for 15 years.
Detectives have praised the victim's courage and bravery - and said they hope the conviction would encourage other victims to come forward and report sexual abuse.
"I feel that this has affected me my entire life and still does to this day," said the woman in a powerful victim impact statement read out in court.
"I feel that I am always on edge. I feel jumpy most of the time and easily spooked. In particular when I am out with my own children I am always looking for the dangers that surround them. I look at people driving and walking up and down my road that would not be there
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