Danniella Westbrook has said she ‘hates the way she looks’ as she undergoes a series of surgeries to undo the damage years as a result of drug abuse.

The actress, 52, made the candid admission during an appearance on Vanessa Feltz’s last Channel 5 show, following its axe after just one year on air.

Danniella recently showcased the results of her latest round of facial surgery weeks after going under the knife again to undergo a hare lip reversal.

During her latest TV appearance, Danniella revealed that her fifth facial surgery is scheduled for the end of September where they plan to ‘take a rib out’.

Danniella did admit that she knows how badly she has damaged her appearance, saying: ‘I have every faith in my surgeon. I hate the way I look. 

‘I did abuse myself quite badly at some point my life so that plays dividends. I’m just getting on with it’

The former EastEnders star is on an 18-month journey to repair her face after struggling with a collapsed septum following years of drug abuse.

Her most recent surgery addressed her hare lip after previously revealing it was ‘so far up [her face] now’ and was pulling in the wrong direction.

Danniella pictured in 2004 

The treatment’s aim was to restore and enhance her facial features after years of well-documented health and reconstructive challenges. 

The television personality has been open about her medical struggles over the years, regularly documenting her progress as she continues a series of specialist procedures designed to rebuild her appearance.

Danniella previously revealed on Vanessa Feltz‘s Channel 5 she will undergo six more procedures over the course of 18 months before her face is fully repaired.

Earlier this year in March, Danniella jetted to Dubai to have a full face, neck and brow lift, as well as a lip and nose reconstruction.

While she has proudly been showing the results of her new look, the actress confirmed in her recent interview that she will have yet another surgery soon to have a metal cheekbone implanted in her face.

She said: ‘I’ve been for umpteen surgeries, I’m coming up to surgery number six at the moment, so it’s quite scary.

‘Since I got older the osteoporosis has set in on my bones. So on this side of my face, I don’t have any bone at all.

‘So they’ve got to rebuild all my bones. At the moment it’s filler, but they’ve really got to do a metal bone. It’s got to be put in there.

‘So I’ve got to do at some point a metal cheekbone here and connect it to further up in here where the bone isn’t corroding.’

The actress, 52, made the candid admission during an appearance on Vanessa Feltz’s last Channel 5 show, following its axe after just one year on air

During her latest TV appearance, Danniella revealed that her next surgery is scheduled for the end of September where they plan to ‘take a rib out’ pictured Lizzy Cundy, Vanessa Feltz and Danniella Westbrook)

When Danniella was asked by Vanessa how many more procedures she was facing, she said: ‘Another six to go, I think after this one. Every two and a half, three months, I’m in surgery.

‘I hate looking in the mirror. I’ve just recently had to have a facelift to realign both sides of my face because they were so wonky, just to get this nose in a certain position so we could start working on that.’

Danniella revealed she’s been dealing with online trolling over her appearance, telling Vanessa: ‘I’ve had people telling me to die and go kill myself and stuff like that. 

‘I’ve had terrible trolling but I’ve also had a hell of a lot of nice people. I’ve had a lot of people that support me and a lot of lovely people online. 

‘I think sometimes it’s best just not to look at it so I don’t often run my social media.’

Danniella underwent facial reconstruction at the Gargash Hospital in the UAE.

She said at the time: ‘I have three more nose operations to go. So we’re over half way there now. Facelift has really changed me and given me my confidence back.’  

Daniella and Lizzie looked chic as they made a stylish exit from Vanessa’s show 

Danniella stunned in a white suit while Lizzie turned heads in a salmon pink midi dress

The pair appeared in high spirits after their appearance on the show 

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The surgery was a huge milestone for Danniella, who has struggled with a collapsed septum following years of drug abuse. 

Danniella used surgeon Dr Parviz Sadigh, who has carried out operations on her in the past and has now undertaken the latest bid to rebuild her face.

The TV personality found fame at the age of 16 in EastEnders but due to her cocaine use producers were forced to terminate her contract and she was written out of the soap in 1996.

Danniella has spoken in the past about how her addictions began, stating: ‘I was always in clubs and everyone was doing coke and it was glamorous – except obviously, it wasn’t at all. I was just very young, very stupid and very easily led…

‘I think there should be someone at EastEnders to say to young people when they come in, “Look, your life is about to change, you’re going to be invited places, and you’ll be offered drugs…”

‘Someone who can tell them what sort of people are about, and what sort of papers, and how quickly what you’ve worked for all those years can be gone.’ 

She estimated she has spent around £250k on the drug.

John Wherritt, located at 5 – 7 Eastborough in Scarborough, has revealed that it is preparing to close for the last time tomorrow (Saturday, July 18) as its owners are set to retire.

First opening in 1845, the shop has evolved to offer different stock over the years and now offers an array of goods from soft toys and tourist souvenirs to clocks and a variety of different homeware items.

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The shop predates the telephone and welcomed its first customers in the same year that the rubber band and self-raising flour were invented.

In a Facebook post, The ‘Wherritt Ladies’ – the shop’s owners – shared news of the shop’s closure and thanked their customers for visiting over the years, pushing the date back by a week to allow more people to come and say goodbye.

They said: “WOW!!!…..after announcing our retirement and planned closing date, we’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the response. Your messages, memories and kind words have meant more to us than we can say.

“Our closing down sale has been so busy, we have decided to stay open for one extra week to give everyone the chance to pop in before we close our doors for the final time. Saturday 18th July.”

Hundreds of people responded to the post sharing memories of visiting the shop on childhood holidays and wishing the sisters well in their retirement.

The shop has been listed as ‘sold’ on Rightmove, although it not believed that the new owners will continue the John Wherritt brand.

Manchester has always been an English city that tells its story through culture. Its reputation was not built solely through a global crucible of industry, commerce or politics but through music, football, television, art and a tradition of creative self-invention.

The northern English city of Manchester has played a critical role in the development of Andy Burnham’s political and social outlook. This series considers what some have dubbed Manchesterism and what it might mean for the future of the UK.

Few cities have translated local culture into international influence quite like Manchester. It is the city that gave the world Joy Division, The Smiths, New Order, Oasis and The Stone Roses; where Factory Records and The Haçienda redefined independent music and club culture; where punk, post-punk, rave and Britpop became part of a distinctive civic identity.

But Manchester’s creative influence extends far beyond music, encompassing internationally recognised comedy, theatre, television, literature, visual art and festivals. It is a city whose cultural output has consistently shaped how Britain is imagined around the world.

Manchester is no longer simply a place on the map; it has become a globally recognised cultural brand built on creativity, reinvention and an unwavering confidence in its own identity.

That identity is important because culture in Manchester has never been decorative. It has long functioned as civic infrastructure; shaping how the city understands itself, how it responds to moments of crisis and renewal, and how it presents itself to the world.

Music, in particular, has provided a shared language through which successive generations have expressed ideas about class, community, resilience and belonging.

It is against this backdrop that Andy Burnham’s mayoralty should be understood as he becomes the UK’s prime minister.

For much of the modern era in British politics, culture has been treated as an optional extra: valuable for tourism, regeneration or economic growth, but rarely considered central to how places function.

Burnham took a noticeably different approach.

Culture and ‘Manchesterism’

Throughout his time as mayor of Greater Manchester, culture was increasingly positioned not as a luxury but as part of the region’s strategic infrastructure. Culture matters because it creates economic value, but also because it creates civic value: fostering belonging, confidence and the conditions in which communities flourish.

Part of that perspective appears rooted in Burnham’s own relationship with music. Unlike politicians who occasionally deploy popular music as an electoral prop, Burnham’s engagement with Manchester’s musical culture feels authentic and longstanding (despite the fact that he is originally from Merseyside, and supports Everton).

He has become one of the clearest exponents of a distinctly contemporary “Manchesterism”. No longer simply shorthand for swagger, musical heritage or post-industrial resilience; Manchesterism has evolved into a civic philosophy that combines cultural confidence with social purpose. It treats culture not as decoration but as infrastructure: something that underpins economic renewal, public wellbeing and collective identity.

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Now he has moved onto the national stage, the question is not simply whether he will take Manchester’s policies with him. It is whether this evolving form of Manchesterism can itself become a national political language.

His greatest political innovation may not be a single transport scheme or cultural initiative, but the demonstration that investment in music, creativity, local identity and civic pride can sit at the heart of modern government rather than at its margins.

As Manchester continues to reinvent itself as an internationally recognised cultural city, Burnham’s politics appear to be evolving alongside it. The relationship has never been one-way.

He has helped shape the city’s contemporary identity, just as the city has shaped his political imagination. Now, as he enters national leadership, it may be this distinctive model of culturally informed civic leadership – born in Manchester but increasingly relevant far beyond it – that proves his most enduring legacy.

Indie music and Manchester icons

Burnham’s social media posts and running playlists reveal an affection for the independent music that has shaped both the city and his own generation.

The playlists move comfortably between Manchester icons and other British acts, such as The La’s, suggesting someone whose soundtrack has been formed as much by post-industrial Britain as by Westminster.

Musical taste is rarely just about entertainment. It often reflects values.
The music Burnham returns to is characterised by independence, community, experimentation and a certain scepticism towards established power.

From The Smiths to The Stone Roses, these are artists who emerged from a city that repeatedly reinvented itself after industrial decline. Their music speaks of resilience, ambition and some sense of civic pride without sentimentality. Those themes have become remarkably consistent features of Burnham’s political language.

His connection to Manchester’s music scene therefore feels less like political performance than political formation.

His administration’s creation of the night time economy adviser, establishment of the Greater Manchester Music Commission, advocacy for grassroots music venues, and sustained backing for major cultural institutions all reflect an appreciation that cultural ecosystems are interconnected.

Via the Greater Manchester Music Commission in particular, music was recognised not simply as part of the city’s heritage but as a strategic asset with implications for economic growth, skills, health, education, tourism and international reputation. Rather than viewing culture as something to preserve, Burnham’s administration increasingly treated it as something to invest in.

This Is The Place

But perhaps nowhere was Burnham’s understanding of culture more visible than in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.

At a moment of profound grief, one of the defining public responses was not a government statement or policy announcement but Tony Walsh’s poem, This Is The Place.

Performed before thousands gathered in Albert Square, it articulated a version of Manchester rooted in solidarity, creativity and resilience.

The moment resonated because it demonstrated that culture was not simply reflecting Manchester’s identity; it was actively producing it.

What has frequently been missing from politics is an understanding that people experience places emotionally as well as economically. Burnham’s contribution has been to recognise that identity itself matters.

People do not simply inhabit cities. They develop attachments to them. They inherit stories about them. Music venues, festivals, football clubs, libraries, theatres and public spaces all contribute to those attachments. Culture becomes one of the ways communities imagine themselves.

As Burnham enters 10 Downing street, the more interesting question is whether this contemporary form of Manchesterism will travel with him. The city’s distinctive blend of cultural confidence, civic identity and creative ambition has become more than a local political style. It offers a model of how culture can shape economic development, public life and place-making.

If that vision gains national traction, Burnham’s most significant legacy will not simply be the projects he championed in Greater Manchester, but the argument that culture is not an optional extra to be supported once economic priorities have been met. It is a fundamental part of how resilient, innovative and internationally recognised places are made.

Manchester understood that long before politics did.

For the second time in a year, there have been public protests in Ukraine in response to a decision by the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

In July 2025, protests erupted when Zelensky tried to curb the powers of two independent corruption agencies, forcing him to backtrack. The trigger for the latest protests was the dismissal of Ukraine’s popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.

This is not the first time Zelensky has reshuffled his defence team. Oleksii Reznikov, who had been defence minister since 2021, was dismissed in 2023 following a string of high-profile corruption scandals.

He was replaced by Rustem Umerov who, after two years in office, was moved to the role of secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, as part of a full-scale cabinet reshuffle.

Umerov’s replacement, former prime minister Denys Shmyhal, lasted almost exactly six months before another reshuffle linked to the long fallout from the corruption scandals of summer 2025. Shmyhal was moved to the energy ministry and replaced by Fedorov.

What distinguishes Fedorov’s ousting is that this is the first time a reshuffle has been carried out for reasons of internal disagreement within Zelensky’s core team.

In a press conference on July 16, Fedorov accused the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, of blocking his reform initiatives and dividing the country. Their rift had become increasingly public. Fedorov and Syrskyi had apparently each demanded that the other be dismissed, rather than finding the compromise Zelensky wanted.

That the president sided with the commander-in-chief rather than his defence minister seemingly defies all logic. Fedorov had been an advocate of drone warfare during his earlier tenure as Ukraine’s minister for digital transformation, a role he assumed at the beginning of Zelensky’s tenure as president in 2019.

Since Fedorov was appointed minister of defence in January, Ukraine has made significant progress in stalling Russia’s momentum in the war. Key to this has been an intensified campaign of strikes against Russian oil infrastructure – one of the backbones of the country’s war economy.

Fedorov also moved to reform procurement policies in the defence ministry. In June, he stated that his team’s efforts to enforce competitive tendering for defence contracts had saved more than US$100 million (£74 million) by cutting the costs of 155mm artillery shells.

This is one probable source of Fedorov’s conflict with Syrskyi, who decides which weapons systems and military equipment should be procured. More than an issue of corruption, the rift is about control – and a clash of cultures between the moderniser, Fedorov, and the more traditional military leadership around Syrskyi.

After his dismissal, Fedorov apparently refused to continue in an advisory role for Zelensky. Two key advisors in the defence ministry, Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov and Serhii Sternenko, as well as the deputy commander of the air force, Pavlo Yelizarov, have all now resigned.

These developments further underline the internal strategic disagreements over the direction of Ukraine’s war effort.

Fedorov’s replacement

Zelensky’s initial choice for his next defence minister was Ihor Klymenko, who apparently declined the role and is set to take up the post of secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council instead.

As a former national police chief who had been Ukraine’s interior minister since 2023, Klymenko was seen as someone who could resolve Ukraine’s continued recruitment crisis. This is arguably the area in which Fedorov failed to make sufficient progress.

In light of sustained rumours about a new mobilisation of Russian troops for the war in the autumn, it is clear that Ukraine’s manpower problem is becoming more acute and needs an urgent resolution.

According to Fedorov’s diagnosis of the scale of the problem, 2 million Ukrainians are currently wanted for draft evasion, and 200,000 soldiers are absent without official leave.

Less clear, however, is why Klymenko was touted for the role. As interior minister, he was at least part of the problem caused by so-called “busification” – the forcible seizure of military-age Ukrainian men by recruitment officials. Klymenko has consistently maintained that these officials have acted within the boundaries of martial law.

Klymenko’s refusal to accept the position may also have been an implicit acknowledgement of how difficult a job any reform of recruitment would be. This is particularly the case given Zelensky’s highly public commitment to eradicating busification, during his press conference with the outgoing British prime minister, Keir Starmer, in Kyiv on July 16.

Yevhenii Khmara, a major general and acting head of the Ukrainian intelligence service SBU, has now been appointed as acting defence minister. Given Kharma’s previous role in supporting Ukraine’s intensifying air campaign against Russia, his appointment placates critics of the Fedorov dismissal. These include members of Zelensky’s own party, who saw Klymenko as insufficiently aligned with Fedorov’s strategy in the war.

But a realignment with Fedorov’s vision of how to win the war will do little to address either the recruitment issue or the underlying conflict with Syrskyi. That this will likely fester could be particularly destabilising, because the timeline towards Kharma’s parliamentary confirmation is unclear.

Under Ukrainian law, Kharma first has to resign from active military service before he can take on the civilian role of defence minister. He then has to be formally nominated by the president, after which the Ukrainian parliament must approve his appointment.

Like the summer 2025 corruption crisis, Zelensky will probably weather this storm. But the price he is likely to pay is a further erosion of his authority – and a shrinking of his inner circle of trusted advisors.

This is an unnecessary and unwelcome distraction from a defence effort that had finally seemed to put Ukraine on the front foot, for the first time since the end of 2022.

Victoria Beckham was supported by her husband David and son Romeo as they jetted to New York City for her fragrance pop-up launch at Caffe Paradiso on Friday. 

The former footballer looked in better spirits after being consoled by his fashion mogul wife in Georgia, as England were defeated by Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.

Now it’s David’s turn to show his support for Victoria, as she launched a special pop-up for her fragrance Portofino ‘97.

Posh Spice looked effortlessly chic in a black sleeveless dress as she took a seat at the cafe with David and son Romeo.

David cut his usual dapper figure in a navy suit as he sipped on an iced coffee while Romeo dressed casual in a white T-shirt and a backwards red baseball cap. 

The Beckham family were without son Cruz and daughter Harper, but looked in good spirits as they enjoyed coffee and baked goods on a private outdoor table at the cafe with friends. 

The former footballer looked in better spirits after being consoled by his fashion mogul wife in Georgia as England were defeated by Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals

Victoria will be missing Mel C’s wedding to Chris Dingwall this weekend in the Lake District as she will be remaining in the US with David for the World Cup final.

On Wednesday, David looked heartbroken as Argentina knocked England out of the World Cup tournament at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.

Cruz leant into his father, 51, as they shared the affectionate moment after Argentina scored the winning goal in the closing moments of the game.

Viewers watching from home caught the exchange, with one saying: ‘Beckham near to tears and being consoled by Cruz was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen’.

Another person commented: ‘That hug between David and Cruz Beckham was wholesome’.

In other photos, the legendary footballer and his wife Victoria, 52, held their heads in their hands after the Three Lions’ loss.

David and Victoria watched the devastating semi-final with their children Romeo, 23, Harper, 15, Cruz and his girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30.

England had been leading 1-0 when Anthony Gordon snuck the ball into the back of the net in the 55th minute.

But just when fans were thinking the job was almost done, Argentina staged a late comeback with both Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martinez scoring goals just seven minutes apart.

Earlier in the game, Victoria leaped into David’s arms as she celebrated England’s goal in the second half.

Posh Spice made sure to celebrate this time round after she was ridiculed for failing to react to Jude Bellingham‘s goal in the quarter-finals last week.

Now it’s David’s turn to show his support for Victoria as she launched a special pop-up for her fragrance Portofino ‘97

Posh Spice looked effortlessly chic in a black sleeveless dress as she took a seat at the cafe with David and son Romeo

David cut his usual dapper figure in a navy suit as he sipped on an iced coffee while Romeo dressed casual in a white T-shirt and a backwards red baseball cap

The Beckham family, who were noticably without son Cruz and daughter Harper, looked in good spirits as they enjoyed coffee and baked good on a private outdoor table at the cafe 

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David poked fun at his wife becoming an instant meme and insisted she was ‘celebrating on the inside’ after her subdued reaction went viral.

Victoria jumped out of her seat as David roared with victory after Gordon put England 1-0 up against Argentina.

David has followed the team around the US in the hope they would finally take home the World Cup trophy.

The family joined England fans singing the national anthem, only to be drowned out by Argentina fans booing loudly.

David had to face watching his beloved country’s team go against his good friend Lionel Messi, who is part of his Inter Miami team.

David roared with pride as he celebrated England’s victory against Norway last week.

Victoria, who famously rarely smiles, stayed seated during the goal and the moment became an instant meme online. The commentary prompted David to jokingly defend his wife.

The football legend commented on stand-up comedian Jenny Johnson’s summary of the match, after she wrote: ‘There’s nothing like cheering your heart out for England from home, then they cut to Victoria and we see that classic Posh Spice smile! It’s so infectious!’

‘I used to think I got animated while watching sports, but Victoria blows my enthusiasm out of the water! Each time I see her I shout, “SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!!!!” because her energy is electric!!!’

Commenting with a string of crying laughing emojis, David wrote: ‘She was celebrating inside I promise her reactions were slightly slower than mine.’ 

Up to 11,000 homes are planned at a former RAF site that neighbours the Cambridge village

Residents in a Cambridge village feel a major A-road “won’t cope” when 10,000 new homes are built on its border. Milton is home to more than 4,000 people.

It is often considered a cheaper alternative to living in Cambridge, while still providing good transport links to the city centre. It’s also next to major roads including the A10, A14, and M11.

Some residents in the village think Milton is a “quiet” place with “good facilities”, including a big Tesco. However, some of its residents have concerns about a new development nearby.

Up to 11,000 homes are being built in neighbouring Waterbeach, which Milton residents fear could affect traffic. The development is planned at Waterbeach Barracks, a former RAF site.

Tom Herring, 76, has lived in Milton for 25 years. He feels that major roads “won’t cope” with increased traffic from the new development. He added: “We have everything right here, with the science park and Cambridge North.

“There is going to be quite a lot of people who will want to move here. There are going to be more houses [at Waterbeach] and the road is not going to be able to cope.

“Every morning on the radio you hear that there are hold ups on the roads. There will also not be enough infrastructure.”

Chris Olie, who has lived in Milton for a year, finds the community to be “impressive” and says the village’s facilities are “modern”. However, he thinks the addition of the new Waterbeach homes could “congest” Milton.

He added: “Usually I see traffic – maybe building houses around is going to make it worse.”

A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said Milton is a “nice quiet place to live”. She added that it’s good as it’s “not too close to Cambridge, but it’s still easy enough to get to”.

She also believes it’s a cheaper place to live. However, she fears the effect of the new Waterbeach homes on Milton.

She said: “I am worried as it could affect the traffic when the new Waterbeach homes are built. 11,000 homes is a lot and that is almost guaranteed to have some sort of affect on getting onto the roads in and out of Milton.”

Another major development coming to Milton is a new £45 million police station being built next to Milton Park and Ride. Residents are happy to see this open in the village.

Josh Eyles, who “really likes” living in Milton, said: “It’s positive. We used to get a lot of car meets near Tesco. It’s not as bad in the day, but it’s worse at night.”

The woman who wished to not be named also thinks the new police station will be “good”. She added: “It sometimes feels like there is a bit of crime around here and the police are not there at the right time. It will be good to have them closer by.”

The truck was completely alight when fire crews arrived

Plumes of smoke were seen in Cambridge on Friday (July 17) after a food truck caught fire. Fire crews were called to Cambridge Square at around 3.37pm to reports of a fire.

At the scene, fire crews found a food van completely alight at Cambridge North railway station. They remained at the scene as of 5pm damping down the area and making it safe.

There were no reports of any injuries as of 5pm. A spokesperson from Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service said: “At 3.37pm on Friday July 17 a crew from Cambridge and the south roaming fire engine were called to a fire on Cambridge Square in East Chesterton ward, Cambridge.

“Firefighters arrived to find a food van well alight. Wearing breathing apparatus they extinguished the fire using hose reels. They remain at the scene damping down the area and making sure it is safe.”

Kelvin Graham tried to evade responsibility and justice during the investigation into his activities and subsequent court proceedings.

The 45-year-old defendant sexually abused the teenage schoolgirl at an address in Newcastle, acting aggressively to force her to comply.

Kelvin Graham, jailed today (Fri July 17) for 11 years after being found guilty of three child sex offences following a trial earlier this year (Image: Northumbria Police)

She was to describe feeling ‘petrified’ of Graham in the moments leading up to the assaults.

Having lived with the effects of his crimes for several years, a report was made to Northumbria Police, and an investigation was launched.

When he became aware the police were looking for him in connection with the allegations, Graham fled his address but was soon apprehended by officers.

He was later charged in connection with the abuse.

When he then failed to attend court for his trial, he was remanded into custody.

Following an eventual six-day hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, on March 30, Graham, of Fawdon Lane, Kenton, was found guilty on unanimous jury verdicts of three child sex offences.

They were two counts of causing or inciting a female under 16 to engage in a sexual act and one of sexual assault by penetration.

He was brought back to court for his sentencing hearing today when the trial judge, Judge Penny Moreland, imposed the 11-year prison term.

Graham will also spend the rest of his life having to register as a sex offender and will also be subject to the terms of a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order plus restraining order.

In a statement provided by the victim and read before the court, she described the effects of Graham’s offences.

She said: “I didn’t want him to touch me, and I made that clear to him.

“I said ‘no’, but he persevered anyway, against my will.

“I was scared of him and confused with what was happening.

“He was larger than me, older than my years.

“He was overpowering and I was scared and intimidated by him.

“I didn’t know who to tell or whether I would be believed and to speak out would have blown up my life at that point.

“Shortly after the incidents, I started experiencing panic attacks.

“This became a regular occurrence, and I became scared to leave the house.

“It’s hard to explain but I felt dirty and worthless, and the journey to justice has been all-consuming and traumatic, and, at times, has felt too much to cope with.

“There are things that have been borne out of this abuse that have affected my life so profoundly and will continue to do so long into the future.”

The officer who led the investigation, Detective Constable Lisa Herron, said she was both “grateful and proud” of the “victim-survivor” for showing “immense courage from day one of this investigation”

The detective said: “After understandably initially feeling scared to come forward, a report was then made allowing us to bring the perpetrator to justice.

“The fear abusers such as these distil into their victims is something which keeps that control over them, even long after the offences have taken place, which is something we’ve seen all too well in this case.

“It’s clear from events during this investigation just what type of person Kelvin Graham is.

“Not only did he commit horrendous abuse against a child, but then has attempted to evade both accountability and justice by attempting to flee and making the victim-survivor re-live her experiences through a trial.

“He is both a coward and a child sex offender.

“We won’t tolerate this kind of abuse in our communities, and we’re here to listen and support anyone who may want to make any form of disclosure to us.

“Whether the incident occurred yesterday, last week, last year, or 30 years ago, we’re committed to taking action.”