A WOMAN who was subjected to ‘grotesque’ sexual abuse as a child bravely faced her abuser as he was sent to prison.

Terence Blackwell was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, having been convicted following a trial of the historic sex offences in Oxford.

The 80-year-old had denied three counts of indecent assault dating back to the 1970s, all involving one girl, but a jury found him guilty in January.

He had already pleaded guilty to a fourth count, admitting that he placed her hand on his penis.

At his sentencing on Thursday, Judge Ian Pringle said his behaviour amounted to ‘grotesque abuse’.

ALSO READ: Our coverage of the trial

Blackwell’s victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, chose to read out a statement in court as he sat in the dock.

Courageously fighting back tears, she said: “I still have nightmares about the abuse, but thankfully they are much less frequent now.

“I am determined not to allow him to continue to have a hold over my life.”

She said she had tried to get on with her life and initially did not feel like she could ever report what had happened.

The woman said: “I didn’t think the rest of the world wanted or needed to know how deeply unhappy I really was.

“It took a great deal of strength to finally make the report.

“I was put through the ordeal of living through the horrific memories that I had spent years trying to suppress.”

The assaults including kissing her and touching her breasts over her clothing.

Blackwell, of Castlelaw Crescent in Abernethy, Perth, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.