63-year-old sentenced to eight years in prison for 'a catalogue of sexual offences' against his step daughter
A 63-year-old has been sentenced to eight years in prison for what a judge described as 'a catalogue of sexual offences' against his step daughter.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim in the case, was sentenced at Derry Crown Court today for eight charges of indecent assault on the child that took place between 1986 and 1994.
Before passing sentence the Recorder Judge Neil Rafferty praised the victim for her impact statement which he described as 'powerful'.
In her statement the woman who was aged seven when the abuse began said she had 'lovingly' accepted the man when he came into her life as a father.
But she said as a result of the abuse her happy childhood memories were blighted with 'sadness and repulsion'.
She said when she went to tell her mother what had happened she was 'petrified' at how angry the defendant would be and she feared she would not be believed.
Judge Rafferty told the woman who was in court that she was believed and her statement would help other victims.
In her statement the woman said she had come to the realisation that she 'deserved to happy' and she was not going to allow the abuser 'to take a single second from me again.'
The judge said the woman had come forward in 2018 to outline 'a catalogue of serial offending.'
He outlined the offending which consisted mainly of the defendant entering the child's bedroom and carrying out various sexual acts including digital penetration and oral penetration.
The court heard that the victim was 'vulnerable' due to her age and the defendant was in a position of trust.
After the offences came to light the defendant was forced to leave the family home.
In mitigation the judge said that the defendant had serious medical issues and while not at an early stage he had pleaded guilty.
The man was sentenced to eight years in prison of which he will serve half and three years statutory supervision.
He also has to sign the Sex Offender's Register for an indefinite period and is subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for a period of 15 years.