A 72-YEAR-OLD Brecon man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the historical sexual abuse of a young girl that began when she was just nine years old.
Paul Lewis, of Pen y Fan Close, Libanus, was found guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court of multiple sexual offences including two counts of rape, five counts of indecent assault, and one count of gross indecency with a child.
The court heard how Lewis subjected his victim to systematic abuse throughout the 1980s, which only ended when she managed to escape aged 17.
In a powerful victim impact statement, she told the court: “I was just a little girl when the abuse started. For so many years I wanted to report the abuse and rapes to the police but didn’t have the strength and courage to do so. For as long as I can remember, I have suffered nightmares, where I wake up screaming, along with flashbacks.”
The victim, who has been diagnosed with Complex PTSD, added: “He has been in my head my entire life. I have had years of therapy and psychiatric treatment. The impact on my family has been enormous too. Attending court and providing evidence was the hardest thing I have ever done.”
It emerged that Lewis had previously been jailed in 2004 for possessing 11,539 indecent images and 208 child abuse movies, receiving an 18-month sentence.
Judge Jeremy Jackson noted Lewis had “shown no remorse” and denied all charges despite “compelling” evidence. During sentencing, Lewis reportedly mouthed ‘liars’ at the victim’s family.
Lewis must serve a minimum of 10 years before being eligible for release on licence. He will remain on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order, barring contact with children under 16.
