RAPED BY BROTHER WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK AFTER HER

A MAN repeatedly raped his young sister when he was 15 years old, but was only brought to justice decades later when his victim reported the matter to the police.

- PHILIP DEWEY

He threatened to kill his sister if she ever told anyone about the sexual abuse, and she described him taking her “childhood away from her”.

Shaun Lampitt, 51, of Newport, carried out the sickening rapes of Catherine Dixon when she was as young as nine years old. He denied the offences but was found guilty of three counts of raping a child under 13, following a trial.

Victims of sexual offences are guaranteed anonymity by law, but Ms Dixon has bravely waived her right to share her story.

She hopes this will give other women the courage to come forward to report sexual assault.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard the defendant raped Ms Dixon on three occasions in the 1980s and 1990s.

During the attacks, Lampitt would be aggressive towards Ms Dixon and she described “praying” that someone would help her.

When explaining the abuse to his sister, the defendant said he had a girlfriend and “had to know what to do with her”.

He also threatened to kill Ms Dixon if she told anyone about the abuse.

The defendant was violent towards her on occasions and would make her “scrub” herself in front of him.