My dad’s abuse was uncovered after a burglar stole his laptop and found indecent images
A woman who was sexually abused by her father told how a burglary at her family’s home helped bring her to justice.
Lizzie Jones, 49, began being abused by her father, David Terrence Pethig, when she was four years old.
She didn’t tell anyone what happened to her until a thief discovered Pethig’s laptop contained thousands of images of child abuse and reported her to the police.
Pethig pleaded guilty to charges of creating indecent images and possessing indecent images and videos, but avoided prison time.
Lizzie, from Wrexham, then decided to tell her mother about the abuse, who encouraged her to contact the police.
Warning: This article contains details about sexual abuse that some readers may find disturbing.
Lizzie grew up at home with her father Pethig, as well as her mother and younger brother.
Pethig began sexually abusing her when she was four years old.
She said her mother often worked long hours outside the home, and Pethig threatened to harm her mother and prevent her from ever seeing her again if she told anyone what he had done.
“I wanted to tell my mother for years, but I didn’t have the courage to tell her,” Lizzie said.
The abuse continued until Lizzie turned 15.
His parents divorced in 2011 after a burglary at their home revealed that Pethig’s laptop contained more than 8,500 images of child sexual abuse.
Pethig was reported to the police by the thief who stole the laptop.
He pleaded guilty to charges of creating indecent images and two counts of possessing indecent images and videos, but avoided a prison sentence.
After that, 42-year-old Lizzie decided to tell her mother what her father had done to her.
“My mother cursed and said, ‘Are you strong enough to tell the police?’ he said. and I said, ‘yes, let’s do it,'” Lizzie said.
“The police came immediately [and] went to CID [Criminal Investigation Department].
“My mother always knew there was something wrong with him.
“He said if he had known, he wouldn’t have let anything happen to me.
“But when you’re a kid, you believe whatever your father says [that] You’ll never see your mother again.”
In February 2023, Pethig was charged with 15 counts of indecent assault, three counts of rape, assault by penetration and one count of attempted serious sexual assault.
Pethig pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years in prison, plus a 12-month extended license period.
“My mom died right before the trial, so she never saw what happened,” Lizzie said.
“I got everything I wanted.
“I locked him up, but that doesn’t take away all the memories.”
Lizzie said that although she felt justice had been served, she still lived with the trauma of what happened.
“It was hard for me. I wrote books of poetry about abuse,” she said.
“I’ve started therapy now and hopefully that will help with the night terrors.”
If you are affected by the issues raised in this story, you can find details of organizations that can provide help and support at: BBC Action Line.
