A guilt-ridden child abuser was jailed for nine years today after he confessed to crimes which were more than a decade old.
Suicidal John Plews might never have been brought to justice if he had not owned up to a mental health worker, then police.
The 53-year-old said he was racked with guilt over sexually abusing an underage girl several years ago, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had never told anyone what she suffered at his hands, thinking no one would believe her.
Prosecutor Richard Bennett described a series of escalating sexual attacks, culminating in a rape.
Now an adult, the woman said she tried to bury what Plews did, and his confession forced her to relive memories of the abuse.
She said in a statement that he manipulated her and she since lost confidence, self esteem and trust in relationships.
Plews, of Hill Crescent, Redcar, admitted six counts of indecent assault, three of indecency with a child, one of rape - his first offences.
Peter Wishlade, defending, said: “I have not met a more remorseful or guilt-consumed defendant.
“He could simply have gone on with living his life and perhaps never been brought to book.
“He knows what he did was entirely reprehensible, entirely wrong, unacceptable.
“He could no longer cope with the guilt and remorse. He brings about the prosecution on to his own shoulders.”
Judge Peter Armstrong said the crimes might never have come to light if it had not been for Plews’ genuine remorse and admissions.
He told Plews: “She was particularly vulnerable when this abuse took place.”
He jailed Plews for eight years and gave him an indefinite sexual offences prevention order banning him from contact with girls under 16.
Plews will be on the sex offenders’ register for the rest of his life.
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