A WREXHAM woman has spoken publicly about the horrific abuse she suffered at the hands of her father after waiving her right to lifelong anonymity.
Lizzie Jones, 49, said she was abused from the age of four by her father, David Terrence Pethig, now 70, while her mother was working to support the family.
The abuse continued for years and escalated when she reached secondary school age. Ms Jones said she remained silent because Pethig threatened her and warned that she would never see her mother again if she told anyone.
The truth began to emerge years later after a burglary at Pethig’s home led to the discovery of a laptop containing thousands of indecent images of children.
The burglar anonymously alerted police and arranged for the laptop and discs to be left at an empty property in Wrexham. Officers recovered the items in a black bin bag.
Pethig later admitted 17 charges of making indecent images and two counts of possessing indecent images and video. He was spared an immediate prison sentence at Mold Crown Court.
That conviction encouraged Ms Jones to finally tell her mother what had happened to her as a child.
Ms Jones said: “I wanted to tell my mum for years and years, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“When I heard him coming up the stairs to my room I was terrified. My heart would race and I just wanted to jump out of the window.”
After Ms Jones reported the abuse to police, Pethig was charged with 15 indecent assaults, three rapes, assault by penetration, and an offence which would now be treated as attempting to commit a serious sexual assault.
In February 2023 he was sentenced to 19 years, made up of an 18-year custodial term and a further 12 months on extended licence.
Ms Jones said her mother died shortly before the court case and never saw Pethig brought to justice.
She said: “I have got what I wanted. He is locked up. But it does not take away the memories.”
Ms Jones said she still suffers flashbacks and night terrors, has self-harmed, and has twice attempted to take her own life.
She has since written poetry about the abuse and has begun therapy in the hope of dealing with the trauma.
She added: “He ruined my life. I feel like he took away my chance of having a family.”
Victims of rape or sexual assault, whether recent or non-recent, can seek support through a Sexual Assault Referral Centre or contact police on 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
