A woman whose husband sexually assaulted her daughter said she fears for his safety.

Michelle Lord, of Burnley, Lancashire, was assaulted by her stepfather Keith Lewis three times at his home in Main Avenue, Sandford-on-Thames, near Oxford, more than 20 years ago.

The 37-year-old waived her right of anonymity to speak out after Lewis was spared a jail sentence and instead given a three-year community rehabilitation order when he appeared for sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on December 9.

The 63-year-old plumber will also be included on the sex offenders' register for five years.

His wife Christine said she feared reprisal attacks on her husband and believed he had already suffered a 25-year sentence.

Her daughter told the court the first offence happened a year after her mother married Lewis 25 years ago, when she was 13.

Miss Lord had hoped he would be sent to prison after pleading guilty to indecent assault and attempted indecent assault at Oxford Magistrates' Court.

Mrs Lewis said: "Keith made a big mistake. He's paid for it. He's admitted it.

"I'm not saying what he did was right and I will never forgive him for it but he's served his sentence of 25 years of feeling guilty."

Mrs Lewis said she was distraught when her daughter appealed for other victims to come forward.

She said friends in the community had been supportive during the court proceedings, which had a devastating effect on the whole family.

She said: "I'm frightened that they will turn against him. I'm frightened in every way possible."

Lewis lived in Banbury for 30 years before he married and moved to Sandford-on-Thames.

Miss Lord lived with her father in Burnley and visited their home at Christmas and during school holidays.