A MANIPULATIVE sex offender who abused a child has been jailed for 15 years as his victim thanked police for securing the justice she deserved.

Jan Vanderweiden, 60, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday to be sentenced in connection with five counts of sexual activity with a child.

He was jailed for 15 years and sentenced to five years on extended licence. 

The sexual abuser, of no fixed address in the Castle Point district, had admitted his crimes, which were reported to Essex Police in 2022. 

His victim has thanked officers who “helped and assisted with the case” and “have been nothing but supportive over the past two years”.

She said: “I would like to say to anybody out there who sadly may be experiencing or experienced a similar thing to please trust our police and all the services they provide; I can hand on heart say they did everything to get me the justice I deserved. 

“I am finally able to put this part of my life behind me, though it will be with me forever I can now look forward and create an amazing life for me and the people I care about the most.”

For the first count of sexual activity with a child, Vanderweiden was sentenced to nine years in prison, with five years on extended licence. For the second, he was jailed for six years to run consecutively. For the other three, he was sentenced to five years on each, all to run concurrently with the other sentences.

He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a deprivation order was made in respect of his mobile phone.

Following the complex two-year investigation Detective Constable Georgina Stroud said: “Vanderwieden is a manipulative sexual offender, and the sentence reflects this.

“The survivor has shown nothing but strength and resilience throughout this difficult process. As the judge correctly mentioned in her sentencing summary, the survivor is a remarkable woman. 

“I hope the survivor’s words encourage others to come forward. 

“We will listen to you and do what we can to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.” 

The survivor paid specific tribute to Det Con Stroud, adding: “I am forever grateful to you all at Essex Police, especially Georgina Stroud, you have been nothing but supportive for the last two years.”