"Survivor's Story: Grooming Gang Exploited Me at 14, and Even in Jail, My Abusers Continue to Threaten Me"

BRUTALLY abused by a grooming gang from the age of 14, brave Fiona Goddard battled years of trauma to rebuild her life and protect her own children.

But news that one of her attackers, Mohammed Usman, was last week has left the mum-of-six’s world “falling apart”.

Fiona, 33 — who has waived her right to anonymity — is now in a safe house with her young kids, aged between one and 12, terrified that her court testimony which helped nail nine of her abusers in 2019 will bring devastating repercussions.

She has already received threats to firebomb her home from her attackers’ acquaintances.

Vile Usman served only half of his 15-year stretch for abusing Fiona because he was sentenced before a change to the in 2020, which now requires some serious offenders to do two-thirds of their time behind bars.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Fiona — who was raped and beaten by at least 50 men after a grooming gang first targeted her in 2008 while she lived in a children’s home — said: “The whole ordeal has left me feeling broken.

“Since news of Usman’s release, I’ve had countless threats on social media that my home would be set on fire with me and my children inside and my abusers would come to deliver ‘real justice’ when they get out of .

“I feel terrified. I have been accused of making up my abuse and told that the perpetrators are victimised, innocent men.

“How is it fair that my children and I are still living in fear after all I’ve been through?”

Her story comes as Prime Minister bowed to a million-strong petition backed by The Sun this weekend and announced yet more changes to the early release scheme aimed at easing prison overcrowding.

While this means perpetrators of unlawful killing and historical sex offences will now be barred from early release, it doesn’t apply to Fiona’s case.

However, she said: “I’m still glad for other survivors.

“It’s common sense that the worst crimes like rape, child sexual abuse and murder are all excluded from early release.

“I went through a lot to make sure those men went to prison.

“When I heard the sentence Mohammed Usman was originally given of at least 17 years, I felt relieved.

“But then it was reduced to 15 on appeal, and then, after just seven-and-a-half years, he has been released.

“It’s unreal. I live in fear. Where’s the justice in that?”

Growing up, Fiona was extremely vulnerable due to a difficult childhood, making her easy prey.

She said: “I was exposed to domestic violence in my childhood and my mother suffered her own mental issues. This led to instability and I was placed in care.

“I just wanted love and attention.”

The abuse started after Fiona ran away from the home with a friend.

She encountered an associate of a gang of highly dangerous, drug-dealing criminals who ensnared girls for their own sexual pleasure, as well as “renting them out” to business associates and other relatives.

At 16, she gave birth to her first baby, a girl, but while she was still being abused, social services removed her daughter, who was later adopted.

“No one helped me during that time,” said Fiona. “The abusers got away with it.”

At 17, she finally escaped the gang’s clutches after moving area. But life after the abuse was difficult and she suffered with agoraphobia for years.

She also became addicted to substances and ended up in an abusive relationship.

Fiona explained: “I suffered nightmares. Then, in 2013, the turned up asking questions about an into grooming gang crimes. I realised I could not move forward with my life until I faced what had happened.”

In 2019, Fiona’s determination to testify in court meant nine of her abusers — — were sent to jail, with sentences ranging from 18 months to 20 years.

While relieved to have secured justice of sorts, Fiona said: “This was the tip of the iceberg.

“At least 50 men raped and abused me during this time.

“Some weren’t prosecuted because the police couldn’t trace them.

“When people believe they are unlikely to be caught or face meaningful consequences, it can create a dangerous sense that they can act without fear of repercussions.”

Just seven years on, all but one of those locked up have become eligible for early release.

To make matters worse, Fiona says she has been harassed online since February by people she believes are associates of . Last week, it got so bad she was moved to the safe house.

She says: “I was reported to anti-terrorism police for being a far-right radical, and to social services. Thankfully, they didn’t take it seriously.

“I’ve been called a s**g and also had people laughing about me being gang raped. It’s sickening.

“My children don’t realise yet what’s happening, but they can’t even play outside without me watching them constantly. My oldest daughter is so upset, missing her best friend.”

Fiona says she reported the harassment to police after receiving “countless” messages from anonymous accounts telling her she was being watched, and her suffered.

She added: “My doctor saw the state I was in, so prescribed me anti-anxiety and pills.”

Despite everything, Fiona continues to travel the country campaigning and advocating for survivors.

But she says that inside, she is “falling apart”, adding: “Your home should be your safe space and that’s been taken from me. I’m in fight or flight all the time.”

Of her home move, she added: “I felt like that little girl again . . . I was in danger if I stayed in the house where the abusers could find me.

“At least I know my kids are safe and I can go to without thinking anyone’s going to come through the door.”

Fiona wonders why victims have to “fight and fight” for justice and to feel protected, while evil Usman managed to get his original sentence reduced on appeal by saying he did charity work in Pakistan while on the run from rape charges.

She is understandably angry about the way the Government has failed to take decisive action over early release.

Referring to their , she says: “A government that can’t stick by its own decisions, whether right or wrong, shows weakness.

“I’m in temporary accommodation and I don’t believe people in have any idea of the real-life implications of some of the legislation that they pass.

“We need legislation to make sure that licence conditions are much stricter and to make sure they face the consequences if they step out of line.”

Last month, , and that men and women are equal under UK law.

The nine-page document, published by the , also told migrants they understood “laws and customs here may be different from your home country”.

Now, Fiona is once again trying to move on for the sake of her family.

She said: “I am trying to rebuild my life. I won’t stop campaigning until systems are put in place to make sure that these dangerous men are taken off the streets and kept in custody until they are no longer a danger.

“We deserve justice and they deserve punishment.”