Rotherham Victim 'My Life Starts Now'

24 February 2016, 19:47 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

One victim of the Rotherham gang said going through with the investigation was one of the hardest things she had ever done, "but it is so worth it''.

She hoped her experience would give others the resolve to come forward and put more child abusers behind bars.

The woman was just 14 when she was groomed and came to fear for her life at the hands of controlling and violent Arshid Hussain.

He preyed on the teenager after meeting her at a party in the late 1990s, and would wait for her outside school.

Soon he was having sex with her, despite knowing her age and being a decade older.

The victim, who cannot be identified but who is referred to as "Jessica'', said: "It has been 16 years we have waited for this.

"It has not sunk in yet.

"This can give me some closure, for me my life starts now.

"It has been such a mess, I can finally move on.

"The investigation started two-and-a-half years ago and it has been one of the hardest things I have had to do, but it is so worth it.

"It's an emotional rollercoaster.

"I think a lot of people will come forward now, and think 'if they can get justice after nearly two decades, so can I'.''