LIKE most little girls, Jasmin Flint was Disney-obsessed, getting lost in the magical world of her favourite princesses.
She’d spend hours watching fairytale films like , along with her younger sister and mum.
Their home was filled with film memorabilia, with Jasmin’s step-grandad, Melvin Denton, often treating the girls to second-hand gifts.
But when she was five, Denton preyed on her innocent love for the popular fictional characters in a sick plot.
Under the guise of playing a game of “Minnie and Mickey”;;, he sexually abused Jasmin for his own perverted pleasure for three years at her nan’s home.
Twenty four years on, in September 2021, mum-of-three Jasmin finally found the courage to report him to after bumping into her abuser in a supermarket.
Last month, the 79-year-old predator was jailed for ten years for four counts of gross indecency and five counts of indecent assault with a child under 14.
Knowing Melvin will die behind bars gives me some comfort
Jasmin
Jasmin, from , says: “Knowing Melvin will die behind bars gives me some comfort.
“But I hate anything Disney now. I won’t let my children wear anything character-themed and barely let them out of my sight.
“Melvin preyed on me in the wickedest way by exploiting my love for innocent children’s characters.
“He’s a monster.”;;
As a child, Denton was her dad’s stepdad, but she called him Grandad and doted on him.
While her younger sister stayed home with her mum, Jasmin spent every weekend at the home he shared with her nana.
She remembers: “They spoiled me and would often buy me new CDs and let me watch TV until late.
“Nana would cook me any dinner I liked, too.”;;
But everything changed when Jasmin turned five.
Twisted game
Jasmin recalls: “One night, he took me into his bedroom and asked if I wanted to play a game of Mickey and Minnie.
“I was so excited and agreed.”;;
With that, Denton ushered Jasmin to sit on his lap so he could carry out his sick abuse.
She added: “He was laughing, so I thought it was fun and was happy to play.
“Afterwards, he stopped and told me it was a secret and not to tell anyone as they’d want to play too. I agreed.”;;
From then on, every weekend, during bedtime, while her nana was watching TV downstairs, Denton played the “game”;;.
The following year, when Jasmin was aged six, her nana came home and disturbed Denton while he was carrying out the sick abuse.
Jasmin explains: “Nana had come back early from church and when the door went, Melvin bolted up.
“As he went downstairs to greet my nana, I followed him.
“Before she saw me he barked at me to go and get dressed.”;;
Then, when she turned seven, the abuse became more aggressive.
Jasmin says: “I started to cry as a massive burning pain shot through me.
“In agony, I told him I didn’t want to carry on so he tucked me in bed, kissing me goodnight.”;;
‘My life began to spiral’
The following year, aged eight, Jasmin suddenly stopped seeing Denton.
She says: “One day, Mum said I wasn’t going back to theirs.
“I was devastated and missed playing Minnie and Mickey.
“I blamed her for breaking up the family.”;;
It wasn’t until years later, when Jasmin turned 13, during school she realised she’d been abused.
“I confided in a friend about what had happened but she seemed to think it was normal,”;; Jasmin says.
“That’s when my life began to spiral.
“I began skipping school and I rebelled against my mum – our relationship was very strained.”;;
Aged 19, she had her daughter which Jasmin credits for getting her life back on track.
She says: “Having her saved me. But I hated people touching or kissing her.
“I was fiercely protective of her.”;;
Then, in August 2018, she met her now partner and they had a little girl together before going on to have another in August 2021.
That month, she was in the supermarket with her mum and younger daughters when she bumped into Denton.
While he didn’t speak to Jasmin, he clearly recognised her and smirked.
Panicked, she raced to the bathroom.
She says: “I was hysterical and couldn’t breathe.
“It took me 15 minutes to gather myself.”;;
That night Jasmin finally confessed to her mum all about Denton’s abuse.
Melvin was a real-life villain and I’ll never forgive him for stealing my childhood away
Jasmin Flint
Her mum was totally supportive and encouraged her to report him, but Jasmin wasn’t ready.
The following month, after suffering numerous panic attacks and nightmares, she plucked up the courage to phone the police.
She gave a video statement and Denton was arrested.
Three years later, she took the stand at Grimsby Crown Court to give evidence against him.
Denton was found guilty of multiple sexual offences against Jasmin and jailed for ten years.
Jasmin says: “Melvin tried to control me until the very end. Delaying his sentencing four times by claiming he was ill.
“But I was determined not to let him win.
“Now I have justice. I want others to know they can too.
“It’s a hard process but it’s worth it.
“Melvin was a real-life villain and I’ll never forgive him for stealing my childhood away.”;;
