A BRAVE young girl who was sexually assaulted by a 77-year-old paedophile has said she will not let her attacker’s actions “break” her, as he is put behind bars.

Antony Cook, formerly of Brightlingsea, was jailed for five years after being convicted of a string of sexual offences against a child.

Cook had admitted three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The horrific trauma inflicted on his victim had taken place in Brightlingsea.

As a result of his crimes, the sexual predator is now also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

During the hearing, the girl abused by Cook bravely told the court how she, and her future, had been impacted by his atrocious and exploitative crimes.

But she also expressed a determination to not let the ordeal define the person she becomes, nor ruin her life.

“When he was doing those things to me when I was younger, I didn’t know it was wrong, I just thought it was normal,” she said.

“When, through learning at school what he was doing was wrong and not normal was when this started having more impact on me. I was confused and found it hard to figure it out.

“I’ve tried my best to forget about it and put it to the back of my mind, but I know it will always be with me. It has changed who I am.

“I now know none of this is my fault and that for all the damage he has done to me he is not going to break me.”

Detective Constable Rachel Evemy praised the girl for opening up about her experience.

She now hopes it will result in others coming forward and finding the courage to do the same.

“I would like to praise this young victim for her incredible courage in speaking out about the abuse she suffered at the hands of someone she trusted and I hope that this result brings her some closure.

“I hope her bravery encourages others who are also suffering to feel they can speak out.”

Essex Police has urged anyone who has suffered child sexual abuse to call immediately on 101 and ask to speak to the police’s child abuse investigation team.