THE brave victim of childhood sexual abuse has been praised for her 'strength and courage' as she hopes to find closure after her long ordeal.

Philip Oliver was jailed for 16 years at Worcester Crown Court on Friday for historic child sex abuse which took place in Dines Green, Worcester during the 1970s.

The woman earned the praise of police and a judge as she read out her victim personal statement from the witness box.

She shunned her right to a screen so she could look her abuser in the eye in the dock as she told him he had stolen her childhood and destroyed her life.

The woman had given evidence behind a screen during the trial but read out her statement without one to a packed courtroom which included six of the jurors who had convicted Oliver and the officers who had helped to bring him to justice as well as a public gallery containing members of her abuser's family.

Standing up straight and with her shoulders back, the smartly-dressed woman's demeanour made for a stark contrast with the stooped and diminutive former milkman who groomed and molested her and shuffled off to begin his sentence.

The 70-year-old of Wilson Road, Shurdington, near Cheltenham was found guilty of sexual intercourse with a child under 13, four counts of indecent assault and four counts of indecency with a child between 1974 and 1980.

He was cleared of two indecent assaults between 1971 and 1973 when the victim would have been just four or five yeas old.

Detective Sergeant Michelle Cook of West Mercia Police who has led a large part of the investigation said: "The victim in this case has endured several years of trauma and distress because of what she went through at the hands of Mr Oliver.

"And, although there may be more tough times ahead, I hope this sentence will help her have a sense of closure after what she endured.

"I would like to commend the victim, who throughout the investigation has demonstrated great strength and courage in how she has conducted herself through this difficult and traumatic time.”

The sentencing judge, Nicolas Cartwright, also praised the victim's courage.

Anyone who is a victim of any sexual assault and feels they may need support contact West Mercia's Victim Advice Line.

It is a free, independent and confidential support service. People can call 0800 952 3000 or visit www.victimadviceline.org.uk and do not have had to have reported the offence to the police.