Description
A woman sexually assaulted by a vile predator has urged other victims to report crimes.
The woman has spoken out after her abuser, George Grace, 78, of Royston in Barnsley, was found guilty of rape and two counts of indecent assault.
Grace was jailed for 14 years on November 10 at Leeds Crown Court. The offences took place between 1985 and 1992 in the Huddersfield area when the woman was a young child.
She said: My message to other women and men who have gone through this is to contact the police and get justice.
You are stronger than you think and I can promise the support is really there for you. Pre trial and post-trial, there is help in place and it is worth its weight in gold. "
The woman said she had been overwhelmed when the unanimous guilty verdicts were read out and added that she was still processing it.
DC Megan Boothroyd of the Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Team, said: George Grace committed dreadful offences against a then young child over a sustained period and we welcome the sentence imposed by the courts against him.
She has shown great courage in coming forwards and doing everything she possibly could to ensure Grace was put before the courts. We continue to urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence and has not reported it, for whatever reason, to contact the police.
All reports are thoroughly investigated by specialist officers who can also signpost victims to the help and support they may need.