My stepfather raped me when I was 14

A mother of two who was sexually abused by her evil stepfather has revealed she thought she would die with her secret.

Gill Paylor, now 42, from Hartlepool, County Durham, was 14 years old when 61-year-old Richard Williams began his reign of terror against her that lasted almost a decade.

The abuse only ended when Gill was 23 and met her husband, 37-year-old Sean Paylor, so Williams was no longer able to stalk her.

Although Gill tried to put her past behind her, she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder over the years and made numerous suicide attempts while raising her children.

But her husband helped his wife come out and inspired him to become a police officer. Now Williams has been sentenced to 28 years in prison.

Gill, a social worker, said: “I spent half my life being abused and killed by a sex offender. But now I have my life back and now it’s his turn to suffer.”

“I want other women, especially wives and mothers, to know that no matter how old you are, it is never too late to reach out and seek justice.”

In 1990, Gill was nine years old when her stepfather Williams moved into the family home after meeting her mother.

She had no father figure during her childhood and initially found Williams to be attentive and loving.

Gill said: “But over the years Richard became more and more emotional, wanting to tickle me or wrestle with me. Then one afternoon when I was 14, Mum was at work and Richard came into my bedroom.”

He started to feel my breasts and put his hands down my pants. He told me that was what people do when they make love.

“I was scared and confused and kept quiet. After he left, I told myself that this must be normal and didn’t tell anyone. I thought that was what fathers did.”

Williams then abused Gill whenever her mother was at work. Three months later, he raped her.

Gill said: “Richard took my virginity. He told me I was his special girl and he would do anything for me. He made me feel loved.”

“But as I got older, I realized it was wrong and I wondered if I was being abused. He had normalized it for so long that I didn’t know what to believe.”

Meanwhile, Williams warned Gill never to tell her mother because no one would believe her.

As Gill grew older and the abuse worsened, she fell into a deep depression. Gill said: “He was violent and the whole family was afraid of him. I felt trapped and isolated.”

“After each sexual assault, I buried my head in the sand and told myself that none of it happened. He also became controlling and never let me meet friends or have friends.”

Gill was desperate to escape and moved out in 2010 at the age of 18. Williams, meanwhile, got a new job as a taxi driver.

Gill said: “When I got my own flat it was a fresh start for me. I hoped I would never see Richard again. But just a few days later, as I was unpacking and settling into my new flat, I heard a knock.

“It was Richard. He towered over me and came in. In my new apartment, in my new life, he started abusing me again. I was terrified.”

Over the years, Williams told Gill’s mother that he would drop by either for a cup of tea or in the middle of his taxi shift.

Gill said: “Richard waited outside my flat and never let me go out. My mental health was at an all-time low. I thought I was going to die with my secret. I wanted it all to be over.”

But in 2005, Gill met her husband Sean through mutual friends in Hartlepool and the couple fell madly in love. After six months together, Gill confessed the abuse to Sean.

Gill said: “Sean held me tight and was heartbroken. But I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was Richard, especially as he had met him through family matters.

“Sean and I never spent a day apart at that point, so Richard’s visits stopped. And at 23, after almost a decade, I was no longer his victim. When I wanted to give up, Sean helped me see the light. He gave me a new life.”

Over the years, Gill and Sean had two daughters together: Brooke, 17, and Maddison, 11.

Years later, Williams and Gill’s mother separated and she never saw him again. Gill said: “At some point Sean also found out that Richard had been my tormentor all along.”

“Sean was disgusted and hated him. He continued to give me the support I needed. But no matter how hard I tried to move on, my past haunted me.

“When I was in my thirties, Sean and I got married. But even though I had a loving husband and two amazing kids, I suffered from debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder. I had constant nightmares about Richard and tried to take my own life a few times.”

In July 2018, Gill suffered a nervous breakdown at home. With her consent, Sean called the police and filed a report on her behalf.

Gill said: “The police treated me with great care and, most importantly, they believed me. It was like a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders.”

“Sean was so inspired by me that in 2022, at the age of 35, he decided to become a police officer. He wanted to help people, especially survivors like me. I loved him even more for that.”

The following year, in August 2023, Richard Williams, 61, of Hartlepool, was found guilty of six counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault against Gill at Teesside Crown Court. In September 2023, he was sentenced to 28 years in prison.

Gill said: “Sean took the stand and gave evidence. But when Richard came forward, he blatantly lied and told the jury it was all consensual.

“It was horrible, but I felt a strength I had never had before. I was no longer a victim, I was a survivor. Now I am relieved because Richard will probably die in prison. I am also finally on the road to recovery and can move on with my life.

“To the other survivors out there: If I can do it, you can too. Please don’t suffer in silence any longer. It was never your fault and you will be believed.”

For help and support contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org