'Before, I only saw the good in people, but he has opened my eyes to just how evil people can be...'

YOUNG VICTIMS SPEAK OUT AS FORMER NHS MANAGER JAILED FOR HIS HORRIFIC SEX CRIMES

- By STAFF REPORTER

YOUNG victims of a paedophile who groomed them on Snapchat have spoken of their ordeals and how their experiences continue to negatively shape their lives.

Paul Lipscombe, 51, a senior NHS manager with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, raped a 12-year-old and sexually abused five other underage girls, as reported in yesterday's Mercury.

The married IT executive, from Rothley described as “devious” and “manipulative” in court - raised his eyebrows but remained calm as he was sentenced to a total of 28 years and one month at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Though he had at first maintained his innocence, Lipscombe changed his plea to guilty just before his trial was to begin.

He admitted to 34 offences, including two counts of rape, three sexual assaults and 22 offences of sexual activity or incitement involving a child, relating to victims aged between 12 and 15.

After he was jailed, his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, along with their families, spoke out about his heinous crimes.

GIRL A, WHO WAS 15

“At the time he made me feel happy, he made me feel loved - I was so obsessed with him and that obsession made me blind.

“When he was arrested, I was worried, upset and I missed him. Now I just feel anger toward him.

“When I started talking to him, I didn’t think much of it at first, but he made me feel wanted. I hated myself at the time and was willing to do anything to get the slightest amount of love, even though it was wrong.

“The whole court process has been stressful. I thought he would plead guilty at the first opportunity and that would be that, but he didn’t.

“Not because that’s what he really thinks - he knows what he did and what he is guilty of, but to give himself more time. He only pleaded guilty at the last minute for his own selfish gain.”