A woman who was sexually abused by her father has described how a break-in at her parents’ home helped bring him to justice.
Lizzie Jones, 49, began being abused by her father, David Terrence Pethig, when she was four.
She didn’t tell anyone what happened until a thief discovered thousands of child abuse photos on Pettiger’s laptop and reported it to police.
Pettig admitted charges of making indecent images and possessing indecent images and videos but avoided jail.
Lizzie, from Wrexham, then decided to tell her mum about the abuse, who encouraged her to contact the police.
Warning: This article contains details of sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing.
Lizzie grew up at home with her father, Pethig, mother and younger brother.
When she was four years old, Pettiger began sexually abusing her.
She said her mother often worked long hours away from home and Pettig would threaten to hurt her mother and prevent her from ever seeing her again if she told anyone what he had done.
“I’ve been wanting to tell my mom for years, but I just couldn’t bring myself to tell her,” Lizzie said.
The abuse continued until Lizzie was 15 years old.
Her parents divorced in 2011 after a burglary discovered more than 8,500 images of child sexual abuse on Pettiger’s laptop.
The thief who stole the laptop called police.
He admitted 17 charges of making indecent images and two charges of possessing indecent images and videos but avoided jail.
It was after this that Lizzie, 42, decided to tell her mother what her father had done to her.
“My mom swears, she said ‘Are you strong enough to tell the police?’ and I said ‘Yeah, let’s do it’,” Lizzie said.
“The police came immediately [and] It was sent to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) [Criminal Investigation Department].
“My mom always knew there was something wrong with him.
“She told me she wouldn’t have let anything happen to me if she had known.
“But when you’re a kid, you believe what your dad says [that] You will never see your mother again. “
In February 2023, Pethig was charged with 15 counts of indecent assault, three rapes, one penetrative assault and attempted aggravated sexual assault.
Pethig pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years in prison, plus a 12-month extended driving license period.
“Mum died before the court hearing, so she never saw what happened,” Lizzie said.
“I’ve gotten everything I wanted.
“I locked him up, but that doesn’t take away all the memories.”
Lizzie said that although she feels like she received justice, she still lives with the trauma of what happened.
“It was hard for me. I wrote books of poems about abuse,” she said.
“I have now started treatment which I hope will help with the night terrors.”
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, details of organizations that can offer help and support can be found at: BBC Action Line.