Yiannis Sirakos has been jailed for 14 years 

A SURVIVOR of child sexual abuse has told of police failings in her long search for ­justice and the “vindication” of seeing the perpetrator finally jailed for his crimes.

The woman – whose anonymity is protected – was one of four girls abused by Yianias ­Sirakos in Islington between 1986 and 1993, when each of them was around six years old.

Last week a jury found Sirakos, now 77, guilty of eight counts of indecent assault of a girl under the age of 14 years and one count of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 14 years.

He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.

In an interview with the Tribune, the survivor told how she had spoken up about the abuse when she was a child, but been “silenced” by the adults around her.

“I was told to say that it was a lie and not to speak on it again, and that’s exactly what happened,” she said.

“For 30 years this guy thought he’d got away with it. For 30 years, I kept silent. I don’t think it truly dawned on me how much the adults let [me] down until the trial got closer, and they were coming forward to be a witness.

“They did the right thing in the end, but that should have happened years ago. To keep such a secret, it was traumatising.”

She told how the abuse had affected her relationships and parenting, describing feeling hyper-vigilant about who was allowed to be around her children.

But when the woman and three other survivors decided to report Sirakos – whose name she does not use, preferring to call him “monster” – to the police for the first time in April 2020, another ordeal began.

“It’s been six years since we reported it and there has been failing after failing from the Met,” she said, describing officers losing statements, repeatedly requesting information she had already given, and letting months elapse without checking in, despite internal rules that they should do so regularly.

She said: “There is no empathy there, there is a lack of care and integrity. You can’t work in a department like that and not have some level of understanding of what those people have gone through.

“Three years in, we still hadn’t had a charging decision. It’s always the victims who have to go through that process, and that’s unjust. Six years is not normal.”

The Met’s investigation into Sirakos was subject to an internal review, which resulted in the initial officer having to address poor performance.

Eventually, an “amazing” officer took on the women’s case and helped rebuild a level of trust in the police.

Still, the survivor added: “The Met have a long way to go. They constantly tell the public they care about violence against women and girls, but the response to crimes like the one we reported makes me think it’s all performative.”

The woman is from the north of Islington but we are not printing further details to protect her anonymity.

Sirakos was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court on 5 March, sentenced to 14 years and issued an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

“To have that feeling of being heard and believed, for 12 people to actually think he’s guilty – I felt vindicated, I felt empowered,” the survivor said.

And while the survivors did pre-recorded cross examinations to avoid having to see Sirakos, they decided to face him at the sentencing and read impact statements to the court.

“I just remember the first time. I heard the keys of the guards opening up the door, and my friend was there and she said ‘he’s coming’, and I said ‘I know’, and at first ­I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.

“My whole body just went into shock. “When I did look over at him, I just felt sick. “The way I looked at him back in the day as well, he was a big man, a giant. But I looked at him now and I thought, ‘you’re just pathetic, you’re an old man, you’re nasty’.”

She added: “I remember sitting there and looking and he was just staring at me. So I stared at him back. I thought, ‘I’m not a little girl any more’. “There was no emotion from him, even when the judge said 14 years.”

In an extract from her impact statement, shared with the Tribune, she said: “Silence protects paedophiles, not children. I will not be silent any more. I am speaking up for the little girl I once was who endured the silence and fear.

“Today, I reclaim her courage and strength. Knowing you are no longer able to hurt anyone else brings a peace that has been a long time coming.

“We were silenced then. We are not silenced now. The courage of four girls has become the strength of four women.”

She told the Tribune she was “so proud” of herself for addressing her abuser in court.

“I was shaking, I was so scared, but I felt I’ve said what I need to say.

“Not only were we silenced for 30 years, to then go through this process for six years – it was bloody tough at times, but it was worth it. We took a paedophile off the street, and that’s pretty amazing.

“It will always be there, but I’m glad this chapter is finished. It feels like a sense of relief. I don’t feel ashamed any more.

“It’s not my shame, it’s his.”

Detective Superintendent Emma Barker, head of public protection in central north London, said: “We would like to thank the victim-survivors in this case, whose bravery has been unwavering. It demonstrates real strength for anyone to report abuse, and could inspire other victim-survivors to step forward in the future.

“We acknowledge that the primary stages of this investigation did not meet the high standards we expect and we are sorry this impacted on the quality of our care and service to the victim-survivors in this case.

“The investigation was subject to an internal review and a new officer was assigned to the case in 2023. The suspect was charged a few months later, and convicted at trial.

“While nothing will undo the harm suffered by the victim-survivors, Sirakos’ sentence will hopefully offer a small measure of comfort.

“The Met remains absolutely committed to tackling violence against women and girls, targeting dangerous offenders and removing them from London’s streets.”

Where to get support

THERE are both local and national support services available if you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse or child sexual abuse.

. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) provides a UK-wide support line for adults who have suffered any type of abuse in childhood including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect. Its helpline is 0808 801 0331 or you can email support@napac.org.uk

. Safer London offers child sexual abuse support services among other advice, and can be con­tacted on 020 7021 0301.

. We Stand gives counselling and legal advice to families impacted by child sexual abuse, and can be contacted on 0800 980 1958 or at support@westand.org.uk

. The Lighthouse is a charity in Camden that supports child victims of sexual abuse and can be contacted on 0808 169 8112 or via their website https://www.thelighthouse-london.org.uk/

. 24/7 Rape and Abuse Support Line is a free phone line available for anyone 16+ in England and Wales who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence – at any point in their life. They are available 24/7 on 0808 500 2222 or via online chat on their website www.247sexualabuse support.org.uk

. NSPCC can be reached on their hotline 0808 800 5000.

. If you are under 18, Childline has a free and confidential hotline at 0800 1111.