A WOMAN who was abused as a child by a neighbour has spoken of her relief after her attacker was jailed more than 30 years later.

Graham Carson, 61, from Clacton, denied seven charges of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child but was convicted by a jury after a five-day trial last month.

He was jailed for a total four and a half years at Chelmsford Crown Court.

His victim bravely spoke out about her ordeal after he was sentenced.

She retained her legal right to anonymity. 

"He was someone my family trusted at the time," she said.

"I was at home when I found out he had been found guilty and just collapsed - I couldn't believe it.

"It's affected my whole childhood, my marriage and relationships with my children.

"I have spent most of my life getting counselling or on antidepressants for anxiety which I still suffer from now.

"I still have nightmares."

Having to give evidence in court after Carson denied the charges was a harrowing ordeal for the victim, who was just eight when the abuse started in Clacton.

She is now in her 40s and still lives in the town.

"Even though he is now in prison, it's all very raw again," she said.

"It will never take away what he has done but at least I am relieved he has been convicted.

"It takes a weight of my shoulders knowing he is not walking about because I have bumped into him a few times in the past.

"I am hoping it will bring some sort of closure and later I hope to help other victims - whether it is historical abuse or the present day.

The victim spoke of her relief after Carson, of The Drive, was jailed.

She said: "I think the judge gave the best sentence she could.

"It was never going to be enough. He has ruined the past 30 years of my life and it's never going to go away - I just have to learn to cope with it differently.

"I was lucky. Some people don't get justice. I'm just grateful that I did."

Carson was sentenced to four and a half years for one count of indecent assault. He was given a year for each of the four other indecent assault convictions and two years for each of the two charges of gross indecency with a child. The sentences all run concurrently.