'HE WAS A MONSTER': Brave victims of Lytham paedophile describe years of shocking abuse

Michael Wolstencroft, 55, stepped in front of a train on September 28 four days after he was arrested on suspicion of multiple child sex crimes.

The IT professional was compared to serial killer Fred West by his victims, who described his Derby Road home as 'a house of horrors'.

One brave victim said: "It feels so unfair that he put us through all that, and now he seems to have gotten away with it. He was cowardly. It makes me feel so angry that he did these things and when it came to facing his punishment he didn't want to stick around. He had that choice. We didn't.

"He was a monster. A predatory monster.

"I had the terrible feeling that this was always going to happen. He must have known at some point that someone was going to come forward. I don't think he should be allowed to just die without anyone knowing the pain he has caused."

The victim, who wanted to remain anonymous, was just eight-years-old when Wolstencroft began his campaign of abuse.

He would frequently come into her room at night and molest her.

"It ruined my life," she said. "I struggled at school. I struggled to make friends and I still do. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and I have been in therapy for years trying to fix what he did to me.

"When I was being abused, I just used to freeze and I couldn't move. I would tighten all my body and I would lay there like I was dead.

"It changes you as a person and you carry that injustice with you your whole life. I deserved a nice, safe childhood and I didn't get it, and I don't know how to fix that. You don't feel like you fit in anywhere.

"There was so much pressure to go along with the lie. I used to sit on my bed with a sick feeling in my stomach that I had to ignore constantly. It was like my body was telling me it was wrong, but I just had to ignore it. Somewhere deep down inside I knew something wasn't right."

Another victim described how Wolstencroft's abuse of her began when she was just 11, when he crept naked into the room where she was sleeping and masturbated next to her.

She said: "I was so confused. I continued to pretend to be asleep. I heard him come closer and he started slowly putting his hand under the covers. I was absolutely frozen with fear. He proceeded to put his hand inside my knickers then sharply put his fingers inside me.

"I started to truant from school, smoke and drink, do horrible random things in order to deliberately hurt my mum. I was angry at her that she couldn't see, angry she couldn't protect me. She couldn't have known but I aimed my anger at my beautiful, loving mother.

"I became suspicious of everyone and pulled away from all physical contact with my family. No hugging, no kisses goodbye.

"I developed an incorrect understanding that all men were sex predators and would lash out if I felt pressured sexually. My self esteem was on the floor and I engaged in a string of unhealthy relationships, regularly using drugs and alcohol. Every day I would pretend to be someone else. I felt so lonely and it was draining keeping up the act of a strong, funny, confident person. Nobody knew I sat alone in the dark at night and cried for hours."

She added: "In his final act of control, he jumped in front of a train. I would never get to hold him accountable for what he did to me... but I did get justice. He is dead - never to lay a finger on another child ever again."