"The moment the police were made aware, my life moving forward from that point changed forever" - the survivor of non-recent sexual abuse has bravely spoken out about her experiences, after a man was jailed for 12 years.  

GARY Hobbs, 39, of Maclennan Place, Keith, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, 23 October where he was sentenced, after a jury found him guilty of multiple sexual offences in August.  

Hobbs was arrested in 2019 after a victim approached Essex Police to say she had been sexually abused 15 years ago.

The case was managed by the force's Quest team, who investigate all offences which took place more than a year ago and where the victim was a child at the time of the offence but is now an adult. 

Hobbs denied all allegations against him.  

The Quest Team carried out a number of enquiries as part of there investigation. 

While the victim was a teenager Hobbs had written her several letters to the victim. The Quest team were able to use these letters, which were written in 2009, as vital evidence, and it marked the first time that they had used forensics by extracting fingerprints. 

In addition to this, they used these letters to complete handwriting examples to gather evidence. 

Hobbs was charged with nine counts of sexual activity with a girl 13 to 17. 

Following a week-long trial a jury found him guilty on Tuesday, 29 August . He appeared at Basildon Crown Court where he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. 

In a statement read out in court, the victim said: "Whatever the jury had decided didn't really make a difference to my life. It's done. I'll never get my childhood back - ever. I'll never have my family back the way it was – ever. 

"Gary has taken so much from me which I can never get back. My life will never be the same, the memories of what went on will hopefully fade over time but will always be with me. I want Gary to know that." 

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex, Thurrock and Southend.

"Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis). Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.  

"Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy. For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process."

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website: https://synergyessex.org.uk/