Stephanie Webster doesn’t know what to think about her dad, she doesn’t even know what she would say to him if they came face to face.

That is because he, Derryck Forrest, the man entrusted with her care and custody when she was just a toddler, raped her when she turned 16.

Forrest, 47, of Crundale Road, Gillingham, denied the abhorrent charge but was convicted following a seven-day trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Stephanie decided to waive her right to anonymity and speak exclusively to the Gravesend Messenger in the hope of encouraging other abuse victims to come forward and push for conviction.

Stephanie, now 18 and living in Gravesend, knew what her father had done was wrong, but felt there was little she could do about it.

She said: “I always knew that it wasn’t normal but he was a very powerful person and it was really difficult.”

She eventually confided in a friend and found the courage to go to the police. Despite an agonising two and a half years to see justice served, she says it was worth the wait and the verdict of guilty delivered on July 30 was a day of celebration.

She said: “Confiding in my friend did give me the courage and she gave me a lot of confidence and support.

“I was jumping with joy when the police said he’d been found guilty. I did want to be there for the verdict but I was advised to stay away for my own safety.”

She is determined to be at his sentencing on September 12 to hear what he gets for this violation and she hopes her courage will encourage others.

She urged: “Stand up and tell someone, it’ll make you feel better in the end.

“You shouldn’t be ashamed because it’s not your fault. Telling someone has changed my life so much.”

Forrest was acquitted of one count of indecent assault and another specimen charge of rape.

For the full story, see this week's Gravesend Messenger