A CHILD abuse victim has spoken out about the “monster” who sexually assaulted him in a bid to get others to speak out about their abusers.

The man, who cannot be named because he is the victim of a sexual offence, has lived with the abuse he suffered for more than 40 years.

Speaking after his abuser, Ronald Smith, was convicted he said: “It is amazing closure. A huge weight has been lifted.

“I never thought it would get to this stage.

“I first reported this in 2010. I could not hold out any longer. The thoughts and images of what happened are as clear as if it was yesterday.

“The pressure inside me was like a kettle and it was getting too much.

“It was affecting my life, my work, every day, and when I told someone there was a great sense of relief.

“Being in court was something I wanted to do. Being in the witness box was the biggest and most frightening experience of my life.”

Asked how he felt when Smith continued to deny what he had done he said: “It made him out to be even more of a monster.

“Every day he has been out there living his life and we have all had to try and pick up the pieces of ours.”

He said he could not have got through it without the help of his family and Essex Police, in particular Det Con Jim Finnigan and the support of other victims.

He said: “I want to use this experience to make a difference to others.

“I want to help with the rehabilitation of people through charity work.

“If it has happened to you come forward.”

The victim said he wants the defendant to spend “a long time” in prison to reflect on what he has done.