A CHILD sex abuse victim told a court how her life was “completely destroyed” by her attacker who was jailed for four years.

Thomas McPhillips assaulted the girl when she was a teenager, Newport Crown Court heard.

The 59-year-old, from Abergavenny, was sentenced after a jury last month found him guilty of abusing her between 2012 and 2013.

Prosecutor Rebecca Griffiths read out a victim impact statement from the victim who is now a woman.

She said: “He completely destroyed my life and a chance of living a comfortable and normal life.

“Giving evidence (in my trial) was frightening and traumatic but it has made me a stronger person.

“The time is right for me to seek professional help. I am glad that justice has been done.”

The court heard how McPhillips had one previous conviction for making a false representation to obtain benefits for which he received a suspended prison sentence just over a decade ago.

Matthew Roberts, mitigating for his client, said he was a man of “previous clean character”.

His barrister said this would be the first time the defendant, who had been remanded in custody at Bridgend’s Parc Prison since his conviction, would be sent to prison.

The court heart that the defendant, who was found guilty of sexual activity with a child, was suffering from heart problems.

Mr Roberts added: “It will not be an easy time for him.”

The judge, Recorder Caroline Rees QC, said McPhillips “doesn’t do himself any favours” following the Probation Service’s pre-sentence reports and that he continued to protest his innocence.

Mr Roberts answered: “He is sorry for what she (his victim) was put through.”

Passing sentence Recorder Rees told the defendant: “Anyone hearing the evidence couldn’t doubt the effect you had on her. She was a damaged woman.

“There is no evidence of any remorse in this case.”

After jailing him, the judge added that McPhillips is subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will have to register as a sex offender for life.

The defendant, now of Forge Vennel, Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland, must also pay a victim surcharge upon release from prison.