A paedophile rapist who escaped justice for 20 years has been finally jailed after his victim trapped him with her iPhone.
William Walker, 50, preyed on the same young girl for five years between 1984 and 1989 and only stopped when she turned 11.
It was not until she was in her late 20s that she found the courage to report the crimes to police – but was told a lack of forensic evidence would thwart any prosecution.
Undaunted, the woman decided to bravely confront the monster herself with her iPhone secretly recording in her pocket.
Walker’s confession was captured on her dictaphone app which she took to police in Essex in July 2010.
They charged the beast with one count of raping a girl under the age of 16 and seven counts of indecent assault.
He has now been jailed for nine years after being convicted by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court.
The court heard the case would never have reached trial if it wasn’t for the courage of his victim.
She told the jury: “I phoned the police and told them that I had been abused. They asked me if I had any evidence but there was nothing forensic.
“I was warned that the case might not even go to trial.
“That is when I thought: ‘I am going to confront him – maybe it will help me deal with what I had been through’.
“I felt better for doing it. Where I got the strength from to do it, I just do not know.”
After the case she added: “He deserves everything he gets – we were hoping for double figures. People should know what this man is.
“It has taken me years of strength and therapy just to get where I am today. It made me not want to be a little girl – he called me a dirty little girl.
“I don’t know what kind of person I would have been if this had not happened to me, but it has actually made me stronger.”
The woman is now encouraging other victims of historic sex abuse to find the bravery to speak out.
She said: “If anyone does have a historic case, it does not mean it is too late to say what has happened. People should not carry on being victimised.
“It is not about victory. It is about being able to put it behind you like I have.
“I have put it to rest and can now move on with my life.”
Det Sgt Kerry Hackett, from Essex Police, said: “In this case the victim had the presence of mind to use a mobile phone to record the conversation.
“It took immense courage for her to speak out.
“Hopefully the sentence will send a message to victims that we will treat your case with sensitivity and will punish those responsible for such terrible crimes.
“The message to abusers is that no matter how many years ago you committed your crimes. We will still seek to prosecute you and bring you to justice.
“I would encourage all victims of sexual abuse to come forward.”