“This man has robbed me of my childhood…I am determined he shall not rob me of my future”

A man has been jailed for a total of 18 years for committing multiple sexual assaults on a young girl between 2009 and 2010.

63-year-old Alan Drake was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, 19 August after being found guilty at trial of 13 counts of sexual assault.

The court heard how the child was subjected to repeated sexual assaults over the course of a year when she was just nine years old.

The survivor was able to gather the courage to report Drake in May 2021 after she managed to get obtain a voice note of Drake admitting the offence. Armed with this evidence she finally felt brave enough to report these terrible crimes to the police.

Drake (03/10/1960), of Sunbury-on-Thames was arrested the following day. When interviewed, he accused the survivor of being a liar. He was charged with 14 counts of sexual assault and remanded until trial. He now faces both a significant custodial sentence and a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

When sentencing, the judge said that Drake’s crimes were “wicked offences against someone defenceless and against someone who you isolated deliberately.”

Investigating officer, DC Scarlett Watkins, said, “I am delighted with the outcome on the case. We have worked extremely hard and are proud of what we have achieved.

“I am in awe of the survivor, who has been so courageous in reporting this to police and has remained supportive throughout with what has sometimes been a difficult investigation.

“I would urge anyone else who has been subject to this type of abuse to take encouragement from this case and know that justice can be done.”

Sexual Offence Liaison Officer Roberta Jeffries said, “The survivor’s bravery throughout has been admirable and must be commended. The impact of this abuse has been life-changing; however, I hope that this outcome provides some comfort that justice has been achieved and she is able to move forward in time.”

The survivor said, “This man has made me feel so ashamed of who I am and who I want to be. I shall live with the long-lasting effects of this abuse and suffer with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. My relationships have been severely damaged, and I am unsure if these shall ever be repaired.

“This man has robbed me of my childhood where I should have been happy and making childhood memories. However, I am determined that he shall not rob me of my future. One in which I deserve to be happy and loved for who I am.

“Today’s outcome is a monumental opportunity for me to move forward. I am incredibly proud of myself and, to anyone who has come out of abuse, it is hard, but we get there.”