A man who was sexually assaulted at just nine-years-old by his own brother has finally seen his sibling jailed for his crimes.
Michael Dawson was subjected to horrific sexual abuse for months by his then 17-year-old brother Peter Dawson.
The siblings shared a bedroom at their family home in Burscough, with Michael left too fearful to ever tell his parents.
Now, the 52-year-old has has waived the legal anonymity he had as a victim of sexual offences in order to share his story in the hope of helping others.
He told the Liverpool Echo : "I couldn't tell my parents, because then I'd be in more trouble.
"For more than forty years I have carried this around with me, I should have been safe in my own home with my family and I wasn't."
Michael, who lives in Burscough but has previously worked in Southport, says he struggled with the decision to open up to someone - anyone - about what had happened.
He continued: "How do you talk to someone about something like this? It seemed impossible, even as time progressed.
"I was always aware it was my word against his, but when the Jimmy Saville [sexual abuse scandal] was in the news around a decade or so ago, it made me think maybe I had a chance.
"At that time, though, I had two elderly parents and I didn't want to put them through any more."
Michael said his father died in 2012, and then, in 2018, Michael was diagnosed with a serious heart condition.
He added: "Not long after this, my mum passed, and I just remember thinking if I was going to do something, it needed to be then."
Michael reported his brother's sick abuse to a police officer, who he says told him Peter had been in trouble with the police before.
In February 2007, Peter was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, after admitting 25 charges of making indecent photographs of children, nine of distribution and one of possessing indecent photographs.
Speaking about his brother, Michael said: "All the way through his life it was like he could do whatever he wants.
"He is one of the vilest individuals you could ever wish to meet.
"Even people who know him but don't know what he did say he gives them the creeps."
Peter Dawson, 60, of Manor Avenue, Ormskirk, but formerly of Southport, was found guilty of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14 years and gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14 years.
He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment on October 29.
Dawson was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Michael said while this does not take away anything he was subjected to, he is happier knowing his brother is behind bars.
He added: "Forty-two years later, I still suffer the stress and anxiety of this. It will never go away, but it helps knowing he is finally where he deserves to be.
"To open up and talk about it like this maybe helps too, but my main reason for speaking out is because I want other survivors to feel like they can too.
"If me sharing my story helps one person come forward, then it is worth it."
Michael has also praised Lancashire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for how they handled this horrific case.
Welcoming the sentence handed down by the courts, DC Louise Dutton, of Ormskirk CID, said: “[The sentence] reflects the seriousness of Dawson’s offending.
"Dawson is a manipulative and remorseless individual who carried out this shocking abuse for his own sordid sexual interests.
“I would like to praise the victim for the bravery he has shown throughout this process.
“I hope this case and the significant sentence handed down to Dawson will encourage other victims to come forward knowing that they will be believed and listened to, no matter the period of time since the offences took place.
“Finally, I would like to praise my colleagues who worked on this case, and those from the Crown Prosecution Service, for their professionalism and dedication to achieving justice for the victim."
If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence report it to police via 101.
Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
