A woman who was "relentlessly" sexually abused by James Miller for more than five years has said seeing justice done has helped her to "lay down the burden" she has been carrying.
Swansea Crown Court heard Miller was a teenager when he began abusing the primary school-aged child in the 1990s, with the abuse only ending when the girl moved away. Miller, now 49, denied any wrongdoing, forcing his victim to give evidence and be cross-examined at trial.
Victim's statement
In a statement read to the court by prosecution barrister Helen Randall, the victim said Miller stole her childhood and left her "carrying a horrible secret" for decades. She said she self-harmed and suffered "intrusive thoughts and nightmares" as a result, and had been left with anxiety, depression, and possible post-traumatic stress disorder.
She said the defendant's not guilty pleas had forced her to go through a trial where she had essentially been called a liar, but the conviction had been "huge" for her as it meant she was believed. The woman added: "Seeing you being held to account for what you did by the justice system allows me to lay down the burden I have been carrying."
Sentencing
Miller, of Picton Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Swansea, had previously been convicted of rape of a child and seven counts of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child. He has one previous conviction for indecent assault of a female over 16, dating back to 1998.
Stephen Thomas, for Miller, said there was limited mitigation he could put forward and that the defendant realised he was facing a substantial and immediate custodial sentence. The barrister said Miller had experienced a "difficult upbringing" and that the "majority" of the offending was committed when he was a youth.
Judge Catherine Richards told Miller he had "relentlessly" sexually abused his victim, and that the abuse had a severe impact on the survivor. Miller was given a 17-year special custodial sentence as an offender of particular concern, comprising 16 years in custody followed by a one-year licence period.
He must serve two-thirds of the custodial element before he can apply for release, with the Parole Board to determine if he is safe to be let out. Miller will be a registered sex offender for life and subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Police response
After sentencing, South Wales Police detective constable Jacquetta Jones said: "James Miller’s crimes were horrendous and made his defenceless child victim’s life a living hell. Not only did his sexual abuse rob her of her childhood, it has also taken years of her adult life, and no doubt will be a trauma that the victim will carry with her for the rest of her life.
"We are immensely proud of the victim for showing the bravery to come forward, and now that James Miller is going to prison, we hope that in the future the burden caused to her by his actions can begin to alleviate."
