Newport Man Jailed as Brave Sister Speaks Out About Childhood Abuse

A Newport man has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of raping his sister when she was a child in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Shaun Lampitt, 51, was convicted of three counts of rape at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court following a trial. His sister, Catherine Dixon, has courageously waived her right to anonymity to share her story.

Catherine said: “As a child I don’t really have any good memories of Shaun because of what he did. I liked to draw and colour as a child; it gave me a sense of worth. To colour a black and white picture and make it beautiful, because my life was black and white, and nothing was beautiful in it. Not after what Shaun did.”

She added: “It was a living nightmare which I could not escape. I was just a little girl who had no one, scared and frightened. I can’t describe the sadness my heart holds for the little girl who stood in the window smelling her mother’s dress, praying to God to bring her mum home before the door flew open and the monster appeared who changed my life forever.”

Catherine continued: “Shaun was my brother, he was supposed to protect me and look out for me, but he didn’t. He hurt me, he hit me and raped me. Just a little girl who was trying to find some comfort in her drawings. He took that away from me. He took my childhood away from me.”

Speaking about her teenage years, Catherine said: “When I hit my teens, everything was a lot worse as I started to understand and realised what he had done. I couldn’t cope. I told teachers in my high school, but nothing was done. I needed help but no one came to aid me. Throughout my life I have struggled with what Shaun did to me and as result I tried taking my own life on a number of occasions and even self-harmed.”

She added: “I have overcome so many of these issues and I hope with justice I will be able to close this chapter and work on myself because I think I deserve it after a lifetime of pain.”

In her victim impact statement, Catherine spoke about finally being heard: “Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart for believing me and listening because nobody ever did.”

Detective Constable Sean Gough said: “The victim in this case has shown remarkable bravery and resilience throughout the investigation, court proceedings and waiving her right to anonymity. I hope the outcome can be a stepping stone in helping Catherine process her experience and move forward as well as showing other victims of rape that they will be listened to, believed and respected.”

Lampitt will have to register as a sex offender for life.

Gwent Police encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to come forward. Reports can be made via 101, direct message on social media, or to Crimestoppers anonymously.