A VICTIM of indecent assault told a court she suffers flashbacks, nausea, physical and emotional distress because of the sexual abuse she suffered.
The life of the woman, now 41, had been "in limbo" until the sentencing of Steven Fifield, 62, of Tivoli Gardens, Grimsby.
The former dock worker denied charges of sexual assault and indecent assault, but was convicted by a jury at Grimsby Crown Court.
He was locked up for a total of eight years for four counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault on a female from the age of five to 20 years of age.
Over the course of the woman's life he manipulated and groomed her into allowing him to assault her, the court heard.
Judge Mark Bury said Fifield had shown no remorse and his behaviour had "gross effects" on the woman.
The judge gave him a stern warning of possible contempt of court as Fifield was led away claiming: "Is that for something I have not done?"
The judge also imposed a restraining order banning any contact with the complainant for life.
Fifield must sign on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.
Now, as he has been sentenced for his crimes, his victim has spoken out in a bid to encourage more women not to be afraid and to call the police.
The lady, who has asked not to be identified, says the abuse started when she was just five years old.
She said: "I knew it was the right thing to do, to call the police and report what he had done.
"The attacks started when I was about five and continued almost weekly until I was 20 and I could afford to move myself away from the situation.
"I managed to block out what had happened to me for many years after until I started getting flashbacks and nightmares.
"It was then I knew I had to report it.
"Many people will question why I never called the police before, why I never reported as a child, but what you have to understand is the mental control these kinds of people have over you.
"They are manipulative and overpowering.
"You don't have to shout no to tell someone you don't want to do something.
"I grew up thinking what he was doing was a normal thing to do.
"He groomed and controlled me over a 14-year period.
"It happened nearly every week and it got to the point were I would just block it out until he had finished.
"At first I tried to refuse and say 'no', but these kind of people are persistent and wear you down until you feel you have no choice, no control.
"I finally managed to get away from the situation when I was 20.
"Many will ask, why even in my older years did I not force him away, did I not stop it.
"But, despite my age, I was very young inside because of his manipulation.
"A few years later when I started getting flashbacks, I decided to call the police.
"I just picked up the phone and told them that I had been sexually abused.
"It was the first step in the process to getting him punished for what he did.
"Other people, other victims need to realise it is not your fault you have been abused, it is theirs and they need to be brought to justice.
"The courts and the police have been so supportive and so helpful to ensure I felt safe and secure in giving my evidence.
"You do not have to face these people in court, you can be in a private room to give your evidence.
"What you have to remember is this, you will not get 'closure'. Many people use this word when talking about these situations, but it will not happen.
"You will always carry the burden of what they have done to you, however reporting them and calling the police will at least see them punished for what they have done.
"Please, if you have suffered, just call the police, do not let them get away with what they have done."
In mitigation, Megan Rhys said her client suffered ill-health.
