Enders plot helped real life abuse victim

A woman who was sexually abused as a child told last night how an episode of EastEnders gave her the courage to finally put her tormentor behind bars.

25 years on the victim found the strength to report the abuse she’d experienced to the police when she saw young Whitney Dean abused by her stepmum Bianca’s boyfriend Tony King in the soap.

Speaking to The Sun, the mother of two revealed "I didn’t think anyone would believe me. But when I saw Whitney go to court and get justice, I knew I had to do the right thing."

Twisted John Faraday was jailed after London’s Isleworth Crown Court heard he began four years of abuse when his victim was just six.

Now 32, his victim told The Sun "He would put his finger to his mouth and say, ’This is our little secret.’

Once he pulled out a gun. He claimed he was going to use it to frighten other people but I think it was intended to intimidate me. I didn’t have a great relationship at that time with my mum, so I didn’t have anyone to turn to. Now that I’ve got justice I can think about closure."

Police tracked Faraday, 54, down to Clacton, Essex. He had changed his name from John Spearing and moved more than 100 miles from his previous home in West London.

He was found guilty on 26 counts of indecency and caged for four years.

"He should have got longer but at least he is somewhere no other child can be hurt. If it wasn’t for that programme, I may never have come forward. I want to say thank you." his victim added.