Darlington child sex attacker jailed for abuse of half-sisters

Adrian Austin was around 14-years-old when he started making inappropriate sexual advances towards his half-sister, who was aged just five. 

This progressed into sexual assault – and despite the now 45-year-old moving out of the house and into a flat in Manchester, the attacks continued when he would babysit his siblings. 

Austin, now of Sanderson Road in Hurworth, near Darlington, abused his position to assault his sister in a place they should have been safe – and, after being quizzed by police, continued to deny the allegations and blamed them for fabricating them. 

But on Friday (July 31), Austin was jailed for 17 years, with an extra two years on licence, after being found guilty of 11 counts of assault and child sex offences. 

This included six counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, four counts of indecent assault, and indecency with a child.

Now, the two brave sisters – Nikita, 36, and Mellissa, 35 – have waived their right to anonymity to speak out against their half-brother. 

Nikita said the “fear, confusion and dread of those years” remained “permanently etched into my memory” – saying she remembers the abuse “so vividly”. 

Mellissa said the abuse “completely shattered my understanding of my childhood” and that Austin “took away my innocence and my sense of self”. 

Guilty on all counts

Nikita and Mellissa have supported an investigation by Greater Manchester Police since 2021, when Nikita came forward to report the abuse she suffered as a young girl.

During this investigation, officers also identified Mellissa as a survivor of the same offences.

Officers found a report was made in 1997 in relation to these offences, which was not fully investigated, something the force has apologised for. 

To support the investigation, Mellissa underwent eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help recall some of the memories of her childhood. 

Mellissa, who waived her right to anonymity (Image: GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE)

EMDR is a form of therapy that involves moving eyes in a specific way to process traumatic memories.

After going through this treatment, Mellissa now recalls a specific memory, in which Austin assaulted her at the age of around six-years-old in their family home. 

This process was able to be used as evidence in court and was crucial in securing conviction for the offences against Mellissa.

Throughout his police interviews, Austin denied ever having Nikita or Mellissa at his flat, but Nikita was able to outline the exact layout of the rooms, which matched housing records.

After a trial in June, a jury unanimously found Austin guilty on all 11 counts against him. 

Nikita said: “The fear, confusion and dread of those years are permanently etched into my memory and have never left me.

Nikita, who waived her right to anonymity (Image: GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE)

“I was wrong to expect nothing of Greater Manchester Police in 2021.

“An investigation began. People listened. For the first time, my voice was not only heard but believed. 

“As the investigation progressed, I slowly began to reclaim some of the power he had taken from me.

“Standing here today, I feel overwhelmed knowing that 12 ordinary members of the public did not only hear my voice, they believed it. 

“In doing so, they restored something that was taken from me so long ago. I do not find forgiveness possible for what he has done to me and my siblings. But I have come to understand that forgiveness is not required for healing.

“I am determined that his actions will not define the rest of my life. I have already lost far too much to him, and I refuse to lose what remains of my life as well.”

Mellissa shared: “Recovering a memory of the abuse has been devastating. It has completely shattered my understanding of my childhood.

“I grieve for the six-year-old child that I was. I find it incredibly difficult to accept that the abuse happened to me. I think about how young and vulnerable we were, and I struggle to understand how my brother could do this.

“He took away my innocence and my sense of self. He was someone who should have protected me. Instead, he created a false sense of security.

“I am still trying to come to terms with what happened to me and to rebuild my life. Despite this, I am trying to be proud of the mother and partner I have become.”

Detective Constable Rebecca Lovekin, investigating officer for this case, said Nikita and Mellissa had shown “immeasurable courage”.

DC Lovekin said: “We understand it was hard for both survivors that the initial investigation in 1997, regrettably, did not go as far as it should have. We have acknowledged this with both girls and apologised for the handling of the investigation at the time.

“Since then, we have progressed and the way we investigate sexual abuse, particularly historic sexual abuse has developed considerably, with a greater understanding of survivor experiences. The GMP of today has put Austin behind bars and secured justice for both girls.

“While we cannot change the past, we are committed to continuously working to support survivors and ensure they receive the care and justice they deserve.”