Pagham man is given probation for raping his niece

Robert Parr, 81, of Honeysuckle Drive, was sentenced to the 18-months order recently at Lewes Crown Court.

The crime took place in Surrey in 1973.

His neice, Tina Roper, has also seen her former husband, Michael Sicklemore, 60, of Peacehaven, sentenced at the court last month to eight years and two months in prison.

He was convicted of raping her several times and causing her grevious bodily harm in Brighton during nearly 20 years up to 1997.

Tina, 56, from Brighton, has waived her legal right to anonymity in the interests of encouraging other victims to come forward to the police.

She said: “I am very happy and relieved that I was believed and justice was done not once but twice.

“After all these years, I now feel safe and free to be able to move on with my life.

“My message to other victims is that I am willing to use my name to show I am an ordinary person who got justice and the same can happen to you.”

She praised Detective Sergeant Joel Brooks, of Sussex Police, for his approach to her and her children throughout the investigation.

DS Brooks said: “This brave woman has been through terrible ordeals at the hands of two men who she had trusted at the heart of her own family.

“This is another case that sends a clear message about the way in which we will take all such allegations seriously and investigate wherever possible.

“At the same time, victims today should also be re-assured that we are fully committed to investigating all allegations about more recent or current offences.”

The investigation began by chance when Tina was being interviewd by the police three years as a potential witness to an unrelated matter, he said.

Officers enabled her to gain specialist support and counselling. Her willingness to give evidence in court was also an important factor in helping her to achieve justice.

Her willingness to give evidence in court was also an important factor.

Tina also praised Survivors Network for its help.

Helen Race, of the Brighton-based group, said: “As was very much the case with Tina, it can be very fulfilling to work closely with people who carry themselves with such humanity, resilience and dignity despite having been through such experiences.”