Sex abuse victim 'stuck in hell' as she could not afford to leave town

A WOMAN who was sexually abused as a teenager was forced to live in the same town as her rapist for two decades because she could not afford to move away, a court has been told.

- by OLIVIER VERGNAULT

Stephen Alec Brown has been jailed for 10 years for sexually assaulting and raping one woman when she was in her teens, and indecently assaulting another, at addresses in Cornwall in 2002.

For more than two decades his victims suffered in silence until they found the courage to come forward and report Brown, by then aged 64.

Brown, from Helston, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16 and another of rape following a two-day jury trial earlier this month.

During a sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Wednesday, April 23, one of his victims said Brown had put her through hell and ruined her life, while he had been able to enjoy his for years.