September 2013
Paedophile who abused a girl for 11 years is jailed
A VILE pervert who subjected a child to more than a decade of abuse has been locked up for 18 years.
Michael Andrews was given the sentence for 12 counts of abuse relating to various sexual offences which began when his victim was just eight years old.
During his sentencing hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court, it was revealed that the 58-year-old’s victim, now an adult, only felt able to report Andrews to the authorities after she confided in her partner.
A jury found him guilty of all counts by 10 votes to two at the end of a week-long trial.
Judge Sarah Munro QC described how Andrews, of Prince Albert Road in Southsea, began ‘grooming’ his victim at eight years old.
She said: ‘When she was 11 you raped her for the first time.
‘She felt it was wrong and that she was dirty. But such activity became normal.
‘She tried to live a normal life and block out what you were doing with her.
‘She felt she was in a relationship or having an affair with you. At the same time she felt intimidated by you.’
Although his victim knew it was wrong, Andrews convinced her ‘that what was happening was her fault.’
When she finally plucked up the courage to report Andrews, he denied everything, forcing her to give evidence in a trial.
Mrs Munro added: ‘You denied these offences and she had to relive these offences in court all over again.
‘I can only hope that she can take some comfort that your abuse has now come to light and you are to be punished for robbing her of her childhood and scarring her for life.’
‘It was a campaign of abuse, culminating in regular rapes over many years of a young girl.’
Referring to a statement made by the victim about the impact of the abuse, which was not read out in court, Mrs Munro said: ‘The psychological effect on her has been extreme,’
As a result, his victim has suffered from low confidence and low self-esteem, and described herself as being ‘damaged goods.’
The judge added: ‘She says she hated her childhood and she says she now hopes she can fix herself.’
Andrews has been put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life and is barred from ever working with children.
