Calling for justice: How I fought back when my abuser walked free

Madeline waived her anonymity to tell her story

Madeline McAndrews, who was sexually assaulted numerous times, has told ITV Calendar how she was not prepared to sit back and do nothing as her abuser walked free from court, having only received a suspended sentence.

Waiving her right to anonymity, Madeline, from Brigg in Lincolnshire, says she has come forward to encourage others to push for tougher penalties if they feel the courts have been too lenient.

She had been sexually assaulted by 75-year-old Peter Sipling numerous times during the year she worked for him at Heron Lodge Kennels, in Broughton.

Peter Sipling was jailed for 15 months

Sipling walked free from Grimsby Crown Court with a two year suspended sentence, despite pleading guilty to a string of the 11 charges against him, spanning eight years.

Madeline stuggled to feel safe knowing her abuser was still free:

Her MP, Andrew Percy, got in touch with the Attorney General and helped Madeline to bring her complaint forward.

The High Court agreed that Sipling's sentence did not fit the scale of his crimes, and this week he began a 15 month jail sentence.

Sipling was originally only given a suspended sentence

For Madeline, she feels she can now move on with her life, but is now encouraging others in her situation to fight if they feel they have been denied justice:

Madeline says she can move on with her life now