The parents of child sexually assaulted by a former teacher and school governor have said they can finally start to “repair the damage done” after he was jailed.

Edward Ryan, 67, of Venmore Drive, Dunmow, was convicted by a jury on four counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 13.

At Chelmsford Crown Court last week he was handed a four year jail term.

The father of the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “There are no winners in such a case, but at least with such a strong and clear verdict our beautiful child can feel completely vindicated and we can start to repair the damage done.

“Ryan’s betrayal has been total; he has betrayed himself, his family, the school, society in general, my wife and I, and above all our trusting child.

“We are very keen that this matter be seen to support other abused families and work against their abuse.

“It breaks our hearts that this jewel of our family should have been attacked and that we did not know to protect them.”

The abuse took place in private lessons whilst Ryan was working in another part of Essex.

Ryan was a governor at Helena Romanes School, Great Dunmow, at the time of the incident but the child was not connected to the school.

The family said they are feeling “better by the day” and have expressed their thanks to the police, Crown Prosecution Service, judge David Turner, the jury and everyone who had supported them through the ordeal “from the bottom of their hearts”.

Ryan put the family through a trial after denying the offences.

The victim’s mother said: “No paedophiles can take away the joy and happiness from our family. We are strong and will manage becoming even stronger.”