Derbyshire man jailed after woman waives right to anonymity to report child sexual abuse
A woman has waived her right to anonymity as a survivor of sexual assault as her abuser is jailed.
A woman has waived her right as a survivor of sexual assault to stay anonymous as her abuser is jailed.
Gary Wilson, 56, from Belper, abused Jennifer Colebrook for five years from when she was just 11 years old.
Wilson, who was a friend of Jennifer's family, began his abuse during their visits to his house when he was in his late 30s. He performed sex acts on her and incited her to perform them on him.
He also took a photo of her lying naked while he threw £500 in bank notes over her body.
Jennifer, who still battles with the symptoms of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), kept Wilson’s abuse secret until the age of 22 when she confided in her parents.
She then went on to report the incident to police in 2019.
In a Victim Personal Statement, which she read out in court, Jennifer detailed the lasting and devastating impact that Wilson’s abuse had had on her life.
In the statement she explains how it has affected everything from struggling with personal hygiene, going out on her own, relationships, career, and travel.
Jennifer also details the years of panic attacks, flashbacks, anxiety and depression she has suffered since the abuse.
An extract from the statement reads: “My life will never be the same again, after what happened to me. I have lost out on a childhood… because of what this man has done to me.
“The effects of what happened to me have been with me since the beginning and I can stand here now knowing that this could have been a completely different outcome. I say that as someone who on multiple occasions I have tried to take my own life because of what he did to me.
“I am still healing and will take a very long time learning to live with what happened to me.”
Wilson, of Hill Close, Turnditch, Belper was arrested in July 2019 and had a number of devices seized from his home during a search.
Indecent images unrelated to Jennifer were found during a digital examination of Wilson’s devices.
He was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images, and one count of possessing an extreme pornographic image.
In addition, the 56-year-old was charged with five counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of inciting a child into sexual activity, and two counts of taking indecent images of a child – all pertaining to Jennifer.
Wilson denied these charges and was sent to trial in October this year. On the 27th of that month he was found guilty of all 11 counts by a jury.
During a hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on 15 December, a judge handed him a seven-year-jail-term.
Wilson was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detective Sergeant Chris Wright, officer in the case said: “Jennifer has shown immense courage throughout the police investigation and lengthy wait for this case to be heard in court.
“She has also very bravely made the decision to waive her right to anonymity, so that her story can be told in detail.
“As Jennifer rightly puts it ‘I have nothing to hide’.
“There is absolutely no shame in being a survivor of abuse, and I hope that Jennifer’s decision to speak out gives others the confidence to talk about what has happened to them.
“Gary Wilson stole years of Jennifer’s childhood, but she is working hard to reclaim her future.
“Wilson is now rightly behind bars where he cannot harm anyone else.”
Derbyshire Police said: "There is a Rape and Sexual Assault reporting tool on our website. Here you can report something that's happened to you, or to someone else. To access it visit: https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
"You can report anonymously, without giving us your details. We won't judge you; we'll treat you with respect, and we'll always put your health and wellbeing first.
"Alternatively, you can contact us using the following methods:
"Facebook– send us private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
"Phone – call us on 101
"The Derbyshire SARC provides free, confidential healthcare, and compassionate support for adults who have experienced any form of sexual assault.
"Their helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and can be contacted on 0300 223 0099.
"Call to speak with a nurse. If you're not ready to report to police, that's ok. The SARC takes self-referrals, as well as referrals from professionals, and can make sure you get the help, support and guidance you need.
"Find out more at: https://millfieldhousesarc.co.uk/"