Predators must face the consequences of their actions, said the victim of a former fire chief sentenced on Thursday to prison for sexual abusing the then 15-year-old.
Nikella Holmes, now 33, was indecent assaulted by one time church youth leader Gary Thompson in 2006 after he groomed her for more than a year.
Thompson (56), from Newtownabbey and the former head of the NI Fire and Rescue Service, was sentenced to eight months in jail for two counts of indecent assault which happened between June and November 2006.
Ms Holmes, waiving her right to anonymity, thanked the PSNI for what she described as “their tremendous work throughout this lengthy and challenging process”.
“From the moment I reported via 101 I knew I would be treated with respect and care. I was believed and supported, throughout a difficult process by my investigating office,” she added.
“Predators must face the consequences of their actions as my abuser has done today. I would encourage anyone who has gone through abuse to report if they wish to do so. There is support for you”
Ms Holmes previously told the BBC that it needs to be understood “predators can be people we like”.
“They can be people we respect. They can be people that we least expect,” she added.
Detective Chief Inspector Claire McGarvey said Thompson “was in a position of trust in the community and held in high regard. He took advantage of a 15-year-old child who he manipulated and believed he was in a ‘relationship’ with.”
The DCI described how Thompson met Ms Holmes at their church in November, 2004.
“He began communicating with her over text to build a rapport which we would classify as grooming, before encouraging in-person meet-ups in 2006 when the indecent assaults took place in his car.
“He preyed on her and thought he would get away with it through manipulation. He was wrong.”
The senior officer praised the woman for her “immense bravery and courage in supporting the investigation”.
“We will continue to work around the clock to bring child predators before the courts and would encourage anyone who may have been abused in a similar way to come forward. The passage of time doesn’t matter.
“Child abuse cannot continue in Northern Ireland, we will do everything in our power to stop predators in their tracks and get victims the justice they deserve.”