"It's never too late to come forward..."

A child abuser has been jailed for nine years for non-recent sexual offences showing it is never to late to come forward about these crimes.

‘I tried to kill myself a few times … People say it is selfish to take your own life, but I couldn’t cope anymore, I didn’t know what to do, who to talk to, who I could trust. I thought the best thing for me is to not be here. I would have preferred it if he had murdered me, instead of sexually assaulting me so I didn’t have to deal with it. It has destroyed my life.’

These are the words of one survivor of childhood sexual abuse who was assaulted at the age of just 10.

Unsuccessful attempts to tell others what was happening left him in a state of despair leading to issues with drugs, affecting his education and eventually leading to a life of crime so he could go to prison where he would ‘feel safe’.

But it’s never too late to come forward and make a report. This survivor of abuse did just that and last month, his abuser from 15 years ago was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to non-recent attempted rape and sexual assault of a child.

Detective Constable Emma Veljovic, who investigated this case, said: “We know the lasting and devastating impact this type of crime can have and I urge anyone who has been a victim, or who knows someone who has, to reach out for help regardless of when the offence occurred.

“We take all reports of sexual abuse extremely seriously and are here to listen and support you. You are not to blame for what’s happened.

“In this case, we were able to secure a further nine year prison sentence for the offender who will also be on the sex offenders register for life which will help to keep others safe from harm.”

If you are a survivor of child abuse, or suspect a child may be being abused, you can report to us online. https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

If you’re not ready to speak to the police, you can contact support organisations who will help you: https://www.surrey.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/support-organisations/

• Geoffrey Horne, 62 (DOB 07.02.1962), pleaded guilty to non-recent attempted rape and sexual assault of a child. On 1 August, he appeared at Guildford Crown Court where he was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years and he has been put on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Horne was already in prison serving time for similar offences.