A MAN who suffered horrendous abuse as a child has spoken out about his ordeal in the hope he will inspire other victims to seek the justice they deserve.

Paul Remmer, 37, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has waived his right to anonymity as a sexual assault victim and opened up about being raped at his home when he was five by a friend of his father, who was babysitting at the time.

After keeping his secret from family and friends until he was 19 to tell his now-wife Claire, Mr Remmer finally found the courage to contact police in 2011.

York Press:
JAILED: Graham Pipes

Despite many setbacks, Graham Pipes, 49, is finally behind bars after admitting to raping Mr Remmer and abusing another victim.

After Pipes’ conviction and sentence in December last year, Mr Remmer is now able to look forward to a positive future – but also wants to encourage other abuse victims get the help they need.

He said: “In 2011 I finally worked up to going to the police.

“Before this I had struggled with the effects of what he did my whole life. I would wake up screaming in the night as a child, and was referred to a doctor who said I was displaying characteristics of having been through a traumatic experience but I still never told my parents.”

Pipes denied the rape of Mr Remmer, and initially there was not enough evidence to pursue the case.

This was a major blow to Mr Remmer and in 2013 he made an attempt to take his life and was immediately referred to the crisis team at Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital.

He said: “In 2014 I received a call from Lancashire Police to say they were looking into my case again as someone else had come forward.

“I was initially delighted but I was scared too – Pipes was denying what he had done and I was terrified of facing him in court.”

Thanks to Arch North East rape and sexual assault counselling, Mr Remmer got the support he needed and he urges other to use the vital service.

Pipes, aged 49, of HMP Preston, finally admitted the charges and was jailed at Preston Crown Court for five years and four months for sexual assaults on Mr Remmer and another victim, and given a further three years on extended licence.

DC Catherine Thomas said: “Graham Pipes is an opportunistic sexual predator who took advantage of a young boy to satisfy his own perverse sexual desires.

“He showed no remorse or consideration for his victims, in particular the child whose innocence he stole, by denying the offence for years.

“Both victims have shown considerable bravery in coming forward and I hope that the sentence provides them with some solace so that they can start to move forward with their lives.”