"I lost my childhood" says victim of paedophile described as 'narcissist'

Teenager commended for her bravery in bringing abuser to justice

A teenager has been commended for her strength and determination in helping to bring the paedophile who groomed and abused her to justice.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced her abuser at Douglas Courthouse yesterday (30 September) telling him: “You truly are an idiot.”

Andrew Christian Godding, formerly of Richmond Close in Douglas, was jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of eight sexual offences.

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The court heard how the 47-year-old had convinced the girl they were in a relationship, from 2016, telling her he loved her and that he wanted her to be his girlfriend; she was 13.

Over the course of the next two years the former bank worker - described as a ‘narcissist paedophile’ – had regular, unprotected, sex with her at ‘every opportunity available’.

Godding would threaten to harm or kill himself whenever the girl tried to leave the relationship - it was something she told the court left her 'walking on eggshells'. 

When police interviewed him in 2020 Godding told officers the girl had had a ‘crush’ on him and denied any sexual interest in children or young teenagers.

However one message found on his phone read: “I’ve never wanted anyone but you.”

Credit: Isle of Man Constabulary

Godding was charged but denied the offences and stood trial in July – jurors took just two hours to find him guilty with the deemster describing his defence as ‘stupid’.

Following the verdict Godding was interviewed by a probation officer who described how he was in ‘complete denial’ adding that his account was ‘a Disney version of events’.

Godding then wrote a letter to the court which finally acknowledged his guilt - something his advocate, Ian Kermode, described as coming ‘out of the blue’.

“Something has burnt into his conscience,” Mr Kermode told the court.

“What he put her through was needless and wrong” – Ian Kermode (Advocate)

During sentencing Godding’s remorse was questioned by Deemster Sandeep Kainth who asked him: “Are you simply trying to manipulate this court process?”

Disputing that Godding's admission would help the teenager he added: “How can it be any comfort to the victim? He made her go through hell.”

Godding’s advocate said his client was prepared to work with a forensic psychologist to explore whether he was a ‘deviant’ or whether it was a ‘loving relationship’ that had ‘got out of hand’.

Interjecting Deemster Kainth added: “Or he’s a paedophile? That’s what he is!”

"I felt out of control and like my life was out of control" - Victim

Delivering her victim impact statement to the court in person the teenager said Godding had controlled her at a time when she ‘didn’t have a lot of love’ in her life.

“I was a young person with a young mind,” she told the court: “Because of Andy I lost my childhood.”

Detailing how the abuse had left her with ‘permanent illness and trauma’ she revealed how she’d used drugs, alcohol and self-harm as coping mechanisms.

“I’m trying to fix what he broke,” she said: “Ultimately I paid the price as I had to move away from the Isle of Man.”

“Children are our future, children are naive – they need protection, they need love.” - Deemster Sandeep Kainth

Jailing Godding, and imposing a four-year extended licence period, Deemster Kainth told the court his abuse had been ‘blatant’ and he’d used coercive and controlling behaviour for his ‘sexual kicks’.

“You had created in her mind that you were in a relationship,” he told Godding: “She agreed (to sexual intercourse) because it made you happy.”

Noting that he was sentencing Godding under current legislation – which is due to be updated as part of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Bill – he added: “The sooner the legislation is passed the better it will be.”

Addressing Godding in the dock at the end of her statement the teenager asked her abuser directly: “How could you ever love a child the way you did?”

Reflecting on reporting him to police, and giving evidence at the trial, she added: “I was not wrong for doing this. You truly are an idiot.” 

Godding will remain on the Sex Offenders Register, and be subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, indefinitely.