Abuser put child victim ‘through hell’

Michael Williamson

THE victim of a pervert feels “cheated” by his sentence, a court heard yesterday.

Michael Williamson (50) of Whitebank Road, Limeside, was jailed for two years and eight months at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to 11 historic counts of sexual assualt on a child under 14 and inciting a child into sexual activity.

The offences took place over 30 years ago when Williamson was between 17 and 25. He entered the victim’s bedroom “frequently” over that period.

The abuse started when he began touching the victim’s chest in bed. Williamson held his hand over her mouth to keep her quiet and forced her to perform a sex act on him.

When the girl threatened to tell police, he bought her silence with gifts.

The victim, now 45, said afterwards: “He tortured me for 36 years and made me wait for 18 months before he pleaded guilty. He put me through hell and he’s got off so lightly.

“It’s had a huge effect on me, I suffer from agoraphobia, I’ve been verbally abused by his family and I find it hard to trust people. Fortunately my husband is very understanding and has helped me a lot.

“Even though I’m not happy with the sentence, I’m glad we have some kind of closure.”

The court heard Williamson himself had been sexually abused between the ages of seven and 14.

Judge Lowcock, sentencing, said: “These are serious offences for which only a custodial sentence is justified. While you were subjected to sexual abuse as a child, it’s no justification.”