STURMEY’S rape victim says her social life has been ‘ruined’ by the trauma she has suffered as a result of the offence.

Prosecutor Mr Richards said that before June 15 last year the girl, now aged 17, was a ‘bubbly, happy and vivacious’ girl.

However, he read a victim impact statement from the girl to the court that showed the incident had left a major impact on her.

She said: “I think about what happened a lot. There are days when I’m happy and suddenly it will all hit me and I feel down again.

“My social life has been ruined as I’m too scared to be out after dark.

“Most of the time I just don’t go out.”

She continued: “I know in my mind that what happened is Richard’s fault but I can’t help feeling people will look down on me too. I think Richard Sturmey should be locked up, that would make me feel safe and that way I would know it can’t happen to anyone else and they won’t need to go through the stuff I have been through.

“We need to be safe from people like Richard Sturmey.”

The girl who had sex with Sturmey when she was under 16, who is also now 17, said she felt she had been ‘manipulated’ by the defendant.

• Police have welcomed the seven-year jail term handed down to Richard Sturmey.

Detective Constable Steve Brown of Weymouth CID also praised the young witnesses who gave evidence.

He said: “I welcome the fact that he has been locked up.

“He’s a dangerous man and that’s where he belongs.”

DC Brown added: “I would just like to praise the bravery of the girls. There have been an awful lot of tears.”