FOUR-YEAR-OLD Jacqueline should have been able to trust her mum Maureen more than anyone.
But sadly it wasn't the case.
Because after Maureen met evil Robert Girdlestone, now 76, from Manchester, she turned into a monster.
She sat by and watched as sick Girdlestone raped her daughter - ultimately forcing her to become his mistress.
In 2018 Girdlestone was jailed for his crimes and will likely die in jail - but Jaqueline's mum escaped justice as she died six years ago.
Now Jacqueline, from Hertfordshire, who asked for her surname not to be published, have bravely waived her anonymity to tell her heartbreaking story:
I was only four-years-old when my parents divorced and my dad left. I thought it was going to be just me and my mum Maureen from then on.
But just a few weeks later she introduced me to her new boyfriend Robert.
He seemed kind and caring, so I didn’t mind him being around.
In time we moved into a new house and Robert came to live with us properly.
Robert always gave me lots of attention. When she wasn’t looking, he’d drop a few coins into my hand.
He’d even fight my corner whenever mum tried to tell me off for something. But she wasn’t happy with the affection he gave me.
“He’s taken a shine to you, you can do no wrong in his eyes,” she told me once.
It was as though she was jealous of our special bond. But I was grateful that Robert was so nice to me.
My mum never showed me any sign of affection.
One evening when I was nine, I was sitting with mum watching TV while Robert was at the pub.
Mum turned to Robert and said: ‘Have sex with her.’ Robert laid me down on the bed, then climbed on top of me.
JacquelineI started feeling tired and got up to go to bed, but mum stopped me and told me to stay with her – so I did.
Around midnight Robert staggered in with pizza. Takeaway was a special treat, so I was excited to have some.
Mum helped Robert plate up the food in the kitchen while I waited on the sofa.
I overheard them whispering – but couldn’t make out what they were saying.
Shortly after, Robert strolled into the lounge. He took me by the hand and led me upstairs without saying a word.
He took me to the bathroom and told me to sit on the edge of the bath. I did exactly as he asked.
Then, after locking the door, he unzipped his trousers and exposed himself to me.
‘Touch this please, Jacqueline,’ he asked. I felt sick, but was too scared to disobey him so did what he wanted.
When it was over, I felt dirty and ashamed.
From then on, Robert abused me regularly. I’d hide under the duvet in my bed, but he’d always find me.
When he came home from the pub late at night, I’d close my eyes and pretend to be asleep.
But it never stopped him.
Then Robert would come into my room, scoop me into his arms and take me downstairs to the lounge where he’d sexually abuse me.
He installed a lock on the inside of the lounge door, so that he could carry out his disgusting acts in secret.
But one night when he abused me, mum was there too.
I looked straight into her eyes, silently pleading for her to help me. But she didn’t seem to care what her vile boyfriend was putting me through.
Girdlestone's behaviour was 'sickening'
The police slammed Girdlestone's behaviour as "absolutely sickening".
Detective Constable Paul Walls, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “Girdlestone’s behaviour is absolutely sickening, he subjected [the victims] to his twisted desires for years.
“I cannot praise the victims enough, both for their bravery in coming forward and telling police what had happened, and for the strength they have shown during the trial.
“While we cannot undo Girdlestone’s abhorrent abuse, I hope knowing he will spend the next 16 years behind bars will bring them some comfort.”
The NSPCC wants other potential victims to come forward.
A spokesmanfor the charity said: “Girdlestone’s victims were subjected to a horrific and prolonged ordeal. They have shown incredible bravery in speaking out, and their courage has ensured he is behind bars where he belongs.
“This case also shows that victims can come forward, no matter how much time has passed, and secure justice.
“If you have been affected by this case, you can speak to the NSPCC Helpline confidentially 24/7 on 0808 8005000.”
Shortly after I turned 12, mum came into my bedroom and told me I was sleeping in their room that night.
Before I could argue any different, she grabbed my arm and pulled me with her.
Robert was waiting on the bed naked.
They told me to take off my clothes.
Tears filled my eyes as I slowly pulled my nightie over my head.
Then mum turned to Robert and said: ‘Have sex with her.’ Robert laid me down on the bed, then climbed on top of me.
‘Please no,’ I begged. But he ignored me and forced himself inside me. I cried in agony.
‘Stop crying,’ mum shouted.
When Robert had finished, mum ordered me to sleep at the foot of their bed.
Drained and sore, I cried myself to sleep. I had nightmares about the ordeal. The next morning, I awoke to my mum slapping me hard across the face.
‘You’re disgusting,’ she yelled, pulling back the covers.
When I heard that Robert had been sentenced to 16 years in prison, I wept with utter joy. It is a life sentence for a man his age.
JacquelineI was horrified to see I had wet the bed. I’d never done it before.
I apologised, but she told me nobody would ever love me. I’d never felt so hopeless and alone.
Mum was meant to protect me. Instead, she was forcing me to by my stepdad’s mistress.
She started buying porn magazines, insisting I look through them in front of Robert. On multiple occasions, she even forced me to watch them having sex on the sofa.
The abuse continued and soon, I became withdrawn at school.
My teacher became concerned, and when I didn’t turn up at school one day, she came to the house.
She told my mum that she was checking in on me and asked if everything was okay.
Of course, my mum politely told her that I was fine.
My eyes flooded with tears as I watched my teacher walk away.
I desperately wanted to tell her the truth, but mum and Robert threatened me with all sorts if I did.
When I turned 16, Robert called me to the bedroom and told me he’d pay me to have sex with him.
It was the final humiliation.
Where can you get help?
If you've been raped or sexually abused there is support available.
Visit NHS Choices – help after rape and sexual assault.
Find a Sexual Abuse Referral Centre via the NHS.
If you are a child, or worried about a child, you can contact the NSPCC.
The charity Rape Crisis has a website and also a phone line 0808 802 9999.
You can contact Victim Support via their website or support line 0808 168 9111.
I told him no for the first time. Then I walked out of the house. I knew I couldn’t live there anymore.
I found my own place and in time, I met someone and started a family.
In time mum became ill and passed away. I went to the funeral, but I didn’t feel any sadness that she was gone.
Six years later, the police called me.
They told me allegations had been made against Robert and asked if I knew anything that could help the case.
Five decades had gone by, but I knew this was my one chance to get justice.
One year later, he was finally arrested and charged.
After numerous delays to due to his ill health, he eventually appeared in Preston Crown Court in May 2018 for trial.
Robert was found guilty of 14 counts of rape and sexual assault against me and another girl.
When I heard that Robert had been sentenced to 16 years in prison, I wept with utter joy. It is a life sentence for an old man his age.
The fear I carried around with me for all these years has gone. I've destroyed all the pictures of my mum so I never have to see her again.
I’m a survivor, and no one can ever hurt me like that again.
Most read in Real Life
Emma-Louise was raped by her grandad from the age of 11 - and he then sold her to 200 paedophiles.
Meanwhile Sonia has spoken has spoken of her heartbreak after her 'dad' raped her.
Tinder rape victim shares story of how man she fell in love with turned into a violent monsterncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jp%2BYm62cpMK0e5dxb2txaW18rsWMnq2ipF2iwq55xKeaqK2ilrSmsIymsGarpJq9pa3DZquoZaKWvaZ5zJ5kmqaUYrK3sc1mnaiqk5qxbrnEZquoZaeWwaS0jK2fnqVdna63sYysnLFn