ALAN STANHOPE JAILS FOR ABUSE IN PORTSMOUTH
Shannon, who was groomed by her stepfather from the age of 13, felt compelled to keep her abuse a secret, believing it was something only she and Alan Stanhope knew.Stanhope, now 39, had convinced her to call him dad and even legally change her surname to his.
For years, Shannon was too fearful to speak out, but she has now taken brave steps to protect herself and others.
She recently told her mother, contacted the police, and faced her abuser in court.
Stanhope was convicted on nine charges of sexual activity with a child and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Since his imprisonment, Shannon, now 21, feels much happier.
She is expecting a baby girl and has a boyfriend.
Speaking to The News after waiving her anonymity, she explained, 'The reason I came forward and reported the crime, as well as protecting my family and myself, was that I had to fight for my life.
The life I knew deep down I was supposed to have – happiness without judgment.' She added, 'And the feeling of “walking on eggshells” to go away as soon as I walk through the door.
The future, of being married with children – that was never going to happen because Alan never accepted me moving on, or living.
He wanted to run away with me.' She revealed that Stanhope had repeatedly bombarded her with sexually explicit messages and tried to find reasons to be alone with her to carry out the abuse.
He had entered her family when she was just 13, becoming part of her Portsmouth household and ingratiating himself into her family life.
Shannon said, 'I felt I couldn’t live life anymore and I got really down.
I was screaming out for help but nobody could.' Her mother discovered Stanhope's misconduct in November 2016 after Shannon asked her to look at his phone, revealing a flood of messages where he professed love and expressed desires to be with her.
Despite Stanhope denying the charges, claiming his messages were sent by mistake, he was found guilty.
Shannon emphasized her motives for speaking out: 'I want to get this out there, not to be malicious, but to raise awareness.
Even though I am still embarrassed over what happened during the seven years he was in my life, I do not want this to happen to another child.
What I experienced was horrific, and it was against my will to keep “our little secret” and make everything seem fine between us to family and friends.' Stanhope manipulated his way into their family, calling the abuse 'us time' to justify his actions.
He took advantage of the trust placed in him after marrying Shannon’s mum, secretly stealing her childhood during secluded moments, often when her mother was away.
Shannon recounted, 'It became an evening thing, every now and again when my mum went up to the bath and that left us alone – he called it “us time.” The first time it happened, it was so quick I couldn’t believe it.
All he said was “did you enjoy it?” I said “no”.' The abuse escalated over years, with Stanhope messaging Shannon when she was out with friends, demanding sexual interactions, and refusing to accept her saying no.
She explained, 'It got to the point where I felt I wasn’t being left alone, I felt like I was just being harassed and I couldn’t move forward with my life.' Ultimately, Shannon found relief in Stanhope’s conviction and jail sentence.
She faced him in court, giving evidence before a jury that unanimously found him guilty.
She said, 'I do feel better now he’s in jail – I feel much safer.
I feel like I got justice although it was nerve-wracking, before I went to the stand I was having a panic attack.' Support organizations such as CISters and various helplines are available in Portsmouth for those affected by sexual abuse.
Gillian Finch from CISters stated, 'Abusers are skilled manipulators which is how they stay undiscovered for so many years.
They manipulate not only their child victims but also adults around the child too.' She urged anyone in the Portsmouth area who has experienced abuse to seek help, providing contact details for local support lines.
Shannon conveyed a powerful message to others: 'There is plenty of support available for abuse victims.
Never feel unable to report sex abuse that took place years ago.
I waited too long and missed out on my childhood.
I would urge anyone who is in a situation like this, to disclose it.
I have come out on the other side now.
I am 21, with an amazing partner and expecting a baby girl.
My life has completely turned around — it was worth it 100%.' Detective Constable Nicola Cupper added, 'These non-recent cases are really damaging to people.
Even though it hasn’t happened yesterday, what they say is taken seriously, no matter how long ago something happened — it’s never too late to report it.'
