Riyasth Hussain was jailed for 28 years at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday

A grooming gangs survivor has told GB News that she “finally has the justice she deserves” after one of her abusers was jailed for 28 years.

Rotherham abuse survivor Sarah Wilson bravely waived her right to anonymity to speak to the People’s Channel, following the conviction of abuser Riyasth Hussain.

The crimes of Riyasth Hussain were identified by specialist officers from Operation Stovewood, uncovering child sexual abuse in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

Expressing her relief following his sentencing, Ms Wilson told GB News: “I’ve never had freedom, all my life’s just been controlled by perpetrators, investigations and also my sister’s murder.

“So, yesterday when I got that conviction and that sentence, it was just a sense of relief that it’s over, that journey’s over, and I finally got the justice that I right rightfully deserve.”

Recalling her experience in the courtroom on Thursday in Sheffield Crown Court, Ms Wilson said she was determined to “face her abusers” and “look them in the eye”.

She said: “From the beginning, I’ve always said that I will always face my abusers down face to face in the end. And yesterday I looked him dead in the eye and he still had that evil look, and I told him, ‘you took my childhood and I’m taking your freedom, I am your karma’.

“And those words just resonate so much because this man is one dangerous, evil man, and I’m happy I got to take him down at last.”

Grooming gangs survivor Sarah Wilson has told GB News that she ‘finally has the justice she deserves’

Asked by host Charlie Peters if she believes attitudes towards abuse “still persist” in children’s care services or have they “wised up”, Ms Wilson argued that attitudes have “got worse”.

She said: “If anything, it’s a lot worse now than what it was back in the early 2000s, and I don’t see any fresh convictions, no grooming cases that are happening right now in court. And I think that’s the saddest thing.

“Because it’s still very much going on and without stamping it out and bringing these people to justice, we’re never going to fix the issue.”

Ms Wilson stressed: “It’s always going to be a massive issue and a massive cover up and I just have no faith in South Yorkshire Police or other police forces to bring these men that are still grooming children to justice.”

Riyasth Hussain was sentenced to 28 years in prison for historic child sexual abuse

 | NATIONAL CRIME AGENCY

Sending a message out to other victims of abuse, Ms Wilson said all survivors are “amazing”, and the first step in coming forward is the “biggest step” they will make.

She told GB News: “You’ve got to find the right person to come forward to, because that first step is the biggest step that you’re ever going to make. And patience as well is key. I started my investigations 11 years ago, and it’s OK to be angry, but be angry with the right people and let go on the right people rather than mental health, it’s a massive struggle in these cases.

“I’ve got my contact officer who I could just let off steam to if I’ve seen something and I’m like this is not right. And I had someone to turn to and the NCA (National Crime Agency), they’ve been absolutely amazing.

“I honestly think every survivor is absolutely amazing, and that first step is the biggest step, and they should be very, very proud of themselves. But patience is key, especially with historic cases, it’s evidence, it’s being able to get it into court, get it through CPS, and it is a hard thing to do, but it’s worth it.”

Ms Wilson told GB News that she wanted to look her ‘evil’ abuser ‘in the eye’ in court

In a statement, National Crime Agency Senior Investigating Officer Alan Hastings said: “I would like to recognise the strength of these two remarkable women who, having suffered so much, showed enormous courage in reporting what Hussain did to them.

“I would like to thank both women for their faith in Operation Stovewood investigators, who were determined to identify the man who raped them and ensure he faced justice.

“Investigating non-recent sexual abuse is complex and challenging but justice can be achieved.

“I urge victims not to give up hope, and to please report sexual abuse to police if they feel ready to.”