I CARRIED HIS WORDS FOR 30 YEARS: SURVIVOR REVEALS THE CHILLING THREAT THAT SILENCED HER UNTIL HER ATTACKER WAS FINALLY C0NVICTED
Helena found the man charming at first, but when alone with him, he took advantage of the young girl (Image: SWNS)
A teenage girl who suffered repeated sexual assaults in an ambulance has finally obtained justice more than 30 years later.
Helena Brady, 44, was just 13 years old when a mutual friend introduced her to John Corteggio, 54, who was employed as a private ambulance driver. She described him as a “charming bloke” and regularly visited his home to hang out due to their shared connection.
However, what started as an innocent friendship deteriorated into a nightmarish cycle of sexual abuse.
Corteggio would drive her around in his private ambulance, which turned brutal on three different occasions. The grown man forced himself on the 14-year-old, who was too scared to say something.
Helena lived in silence and live in fear, until their mutual friend sent her a news article disclosing that Corteggio had been sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexual crimes against another teenage girl.
Teen girl raped three times in back of van
When Helena learned he was already behind bars, she got up the courage to come forward (Image: SWNS)
That discovery ignited Helena’s resolve to ensure he remained behind bars.
Helena reached out to police, and on May 5, 2026, Corteggio was convicted of one count of indecent assault and three counts of rape occurring between 1996 and 1998 at Lewes Crown Court.
On July 3, 2026, he was handed an additional ten-year prison sentence.
Helena, who is employed as a nurse in Worthing, Sussex, remembered: “I was alone the day he was found guilty.”
“They read out each charge, and upon hearing guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, a police officer turned around and put his fist in the air like ‘we did it.’ I cried and cried; it was sheer relief. I have never felt more validated in my life.
“All the jury members were watching me smiling as if to say ‘you’ve bloody done it.’ I will never forget their faces. Hearing guilty four times, it was such a huge relief.”
Helena first encountered Corteggio, who was a decade her senior, in 1996 through a mutual friend.
She recalled making regular visits to his home. During one summer afternoon when Helena was feeling unwell, Corteggio offered her a spare bedroom to rest in.
Thirty years later she speaks up and her attacker gets ten years
By speaking up, Helena feels like she can now move forward with her life (Image: SWNS)
She recalled: “He showed me where to go. He turned very weird when we got into the bedroom. He said I needed to get changed into a t-shirt. This is when he assaulted me the first time.”
“He grabbed my boob as I was getting changed.”
Helena maintained her connection with Corteggio, acknowledging she “carries a lot of guilt for doing so.”
She described him as “very charming” and said he had “got into her head,” leaving her convinced that his behavior was acceptable.
In 1996, Helena recalled Corteggio being “insistent” on driving her home in his private ambulance.
Upon reaching her family home, Corteggio suggested that Helena take a look inside the back of his ambulance. Helena, who shared her story with Talk to the Press, recalled: “I thought it was cool being in an ambulance, he played on that.
“When we were in the back of the ambulance, he said, ‘I am going to dip my wick in you,’ that sentence will stay in my head forever.”
“He kept repeating it, started kissing me, and I moved my head away. I froze.”
I was on the edge of a stretcher bed. I was confused; I didn’t know what had happened.
“I am autistic and got ADHD, looking back, that added a layer of vulnerability.”
For several months, Helena severed ties with Corteggio, though she acknowledged missing their mutual friend and eventually resumed contact with him.
Shortly thereafter, Corteggio offered Helena a ride home, during which he sexually assaulted her twice in the back of his private ambulance.
“He was very charming, I hate confrontation in any shape or form, I will do whatever to avoid those situations,” Helena said.
“I told him my mom and dad were waiting for me, but he told me to get into the back of the ambulance, and we would just talk.”
“I got into the back of the ambulance, he said he would let me go if he could dip his wick again.”
Throughout her teenage years, Helena described becoming “mad at the world” and descending into a destructive downward spiral.
Helena said, “My mom can remember seeing the ambulance on the road. She tried to talk to me when I got home, but I wouldn’t talk to her.”
“I was mad, I was mad with the world. I hit self-destruct.”
“It led me to making some really sh*t choices in men right up until I met my twins’ dad.”
Helena welcomed her two children, now aged 10, in February 2016 with her partner at that time.
During a conversation with a friend about childhood abuse experiences, Helena asked about Corteggio’s current location.
Her friend sent her a news story outlining his conviction for sexual offenses.. Helena said, “When I saw John’s face, I was physically sick. That evening when I read that he was in prison, I realized that I wanted to keep him there and make sure he could never get out.”
“I emailed the police, and they said they would come out and see me. Until then, I had never told a soul.”
“I felt guilty that I had given him opportunities.”
After Helena contacted authorities, Corteggio was interviewed under caution while incarcerated.
On May 5, 2026, Corteggio was convicted of one count of indecent assault and three counts of rape at Lewes Crown Court.
On July 3, 2026, the judge imposed an additional 10-year prison sentence, with an extended five-year license period.
The judge described Corteggio as “dangerous” and concluded he posed a “significant risk of serious harm to girls and women.”
The judge stated: “The offences occurred because of your predatory sexual interest in young teenage girls.”
“The impact on your victim has been profound and she has told us about how what you did to her has affected every aspect of her life. You ruined her teenage years.”
“Ms. Brady I agree. Your courage in pursuing this matter is a tribute to your strength of character.”
“I hope the conclusions reached by the jury contribute to your continued journey to recovery.”
Helena voiced relief at the sentence length and indicated she can now progress with dignity.
After the hearing, she stated: “I feel good, I feel empowered, I feel amazing.”
“It was more than I thought he would get but less than he deserved, he should never be released as he has got no place in society. He is going to be the best part of 70 by the time that license runs out, so he will have spent most of his adult life in prison.”
“I achieved what I set out to do. I faced him in that courtroom and got the result we wanted.”
“Every dog walk that I go on now is going to feel a little bit better knowing that I am walking with my freededom while he is sat in prison for a very long time.”
SOURCE: https://www.the-express.com/news/uk-news/212251/teenager-raped-by-ambulance-driver
