A MAN has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of indecent assaults against a child.

Edmund Hennessy, 72, from Bishops Lydeard, was jailed earlier this month for eight offences, after the victim came forward to police to report what happened to her more than 30 years ago.

In a statement read in court, she explained how Hennessy’s sexual abuse continues to impact her, saying she thinks about it every day.

She said: “I suffer with flashbacks from the abuse, this can happen any time of day with no warning and can be terrifying. I often have poor sleep with flashbacks of the abuse.

“The abuse has led to me having low self-confidence and very low self-esteem.

“This has affected me at work as I have always felt I was not good enough.

“It has also affected my relationships as I always believe people will not like me.”

She added: “The emotional abuse I experienced as a child was horrific. I would be ignored, or he would be angry if I did not do what he wanted.

“I was controlled and manipulated, and this has meant it is hard to trust people. I lived in fear and did not feel safe.”

Hennessy was convicted of one count of indecent assault against a child under the age of 16 after a trial in 2022, with the jury unable to reach a decision on the other charges.

Following conversations with the victim, it was agreed Hennessy would be re-tried for the other seven counts for which he was found guilty in July this year.

The 72-year-old, of Letheridge Park in Bishops Lydeard, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, September 5, where he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

The victim, who cannot be named because all sexual offence victims are entitled to remain anonymous, said: “Now an outcome has been reached and justice will be served, I feel I can start to heal and move on and start to rebuild my life.”

She added that telling her family in recent years about what had happened had had a positive effect and said she received ‘amazing support from my allocated police officer and independent sexual violence advisor.”

PC Nikki Adams, officer in the case, said: “Edmund Hennessy subjected a child to horrific sexual abuse and lived a lie for decades.

“His continued refusal to acknowledge his sickening crimes meant the victim had to go through the trial process not once, but twice, and that is a really difficult thing for anyone to do.

“The level of bravery and courage she has shown to do that is simply incredible.

“We hope the lengthy prison sentence Hennessy has received, and the conclusion of these proceedings does allow her to heal and look to the future positively.

“This result shows again that guilty verdicts are possible no matter how long ago the crime was committed.

“If you are a victim of a sexual offence, we encourage you to come forward and report what happened.

“We know that is easier said than done, but we can assure you that we’ll believe you, we’ll ensure you can access any support services you may need and crucially we will fully investigate and try to get you the justice you deserve.”