DAVID MOORE OF VANGE JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF WOMAN IN ESSEX

In July 2011, a woman who endured nine years of severe sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather, David Moore, has spoken out about how her childhood was stolen from her. Tina, now 36, made the significant decision to waive her right to anonymity to publicly condemn Moore for the ordeals she suffered. Moore, 59, from Tilney Turn, Vange, was responsible for repeatedly raping Tina between 1981 and 1990. Despite this, Tina chose not to press charges as a child, believing it was too late to pursue justice and keeping her abuse secret for many years.

It was only after she studied law at Essex University that she realized Moore could still be prosecuted. She subsequently reported him to the police, which led to his conviction and a 14-year prison sentence. Tina expressed relief at the outcome, stating, “I’m so pleased everyone knows the truth about him now. He robbed me of my childhood, but justice has finally been done and I can move on with my life.”

Tina came forward to police in November 2009, shortly after graduating from university with a 2:1 degree. She is currently working as a care support worker and aspires to become a solicitor. She explained, “I delayed telling police after leaving home because I fell into a bad relationship and then struggled as a single mother. I had no confidence and wrongly assumed I’d left it too late. Getting the degree made all the difference. I also had enough support by that time, from friends and my aunt, to get me through the trauma of the case.”

She urged other victims to stand up for themselves, saying, “I’m so pleased I went through with it and urge other children who are being abused to fight for justice. There is justice out there and you should pursue it, whether at the time it happens or years later, as I did. It’s never too late.”

Moore was found guilty at Southend Crown Court on six counts of indecent assault on a female, three counts of gross indecency with a child, and three counts of rape. Detective Inspector Andy Keen of the Metropolitan Police’s child abuse investigation team commented on the case, saying, “We’re pleased at this conviction. It demonstrates that even many years after such traumatic abuse, a perpetrator can be brought to justice and jailed. We hope this encourages other victims to come forward and trust in the police and justice system.”