Locations
Potts Lane, Crowle, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, DN17
Description
A WOMAN who was sexually abused more than two decades ago has described how the ordeal left her ashamed and traumatised.
Craig Tongs victim spoke out after justice finally caught up with the sex attacker who has been jailed for nearly five years for the catalogue of crimes he committed when she was a child.
His victim is now hoping that by revealing the pain she went through others who have been sexually abused will find the courage to report the crimes.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the Epworth Bells: For more than 20 years I have been too terrified, ashamed and traumatised to tell the truth about my years as an enforced sex toy for Craig Tong.
His selfish and abusive actions ruined my childhood and have seriously impacted on my life.
I will never be able to forget his appalling actions and the fear in which I have lived. I hope now he will feel just a fraction of the disgust and pain I have suffered.
Tong, 43, of Potts Lane, Crowle, was jailed for four years and eight months at Grimsby Crown Court after admitting five counts of abuse including two offences of having sex with a girl under the age of 13.
The offences were carried out in the late 1980s, but it was only when his victim plucked up the courage to tell police of her ordeal that an investigation began and Tongs crimes were revealed.
The court was told his victim had originally thought people would not believe her when she told them about the abuse she had suffered.
At the sentencing hearing on Monday Tong wore a dark suit and spoke only to confirm his name and address.
Tong was given two 16-month prison sentences for two counts of having sex with a girl under the age of 13. He was given an additional three custodial sentences of eight months for three offences of indecent assault. All five sentences will run consecutively.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and banned from working with children.
Speaking after the sentencing, Tongs victim said: I should like to offer my heartfelt thanks to the health and support workers, police and crown prosecution staff who have given me the strength, confidence and assurance to reveal the torment I was subjected to as a child.
It is through their support that finally Craig Tong has been brought to court and imprisoned for his abhorrent actions.
I hope that this case will be an example to other women, who in their own lives may have been in a similar situation, and encourage them to tell the truth of their ordeals.