Mother of abused teen hails daughter’s bravery

The mother of a 13-year-old girl with learning difficulties who was the victim of sexual abuse has praised her daughter for her courage in coming forward.

Father-of-three and charity shop manager David Wernham, 51, was jailed for seven- and-a-half years for rape and indecent images of the child who is said to have severe learning difficulties.

Police uncovered 565 pictures of him sexually abusing the teenager from July 2015 to February 2016.

Gulf War veteran Wernham showered the girl with expensive gifts including toys and £500 trainers.

He initially met the girl while working in pro-life charity shop Life in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute.

Wernham was finally sent to prison following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow and has been placed on the sex offenders’ list.

The victim’s mother praised her daughter for saying that she wants to help others in similar situations to her, but believed the punishment does not fit the crime.

She said: “She’s been so brave throughout this ordeal and she’s seen it through to the end. It’s not enough for the pain, stress and anger he’s caused my family.”

A spokesman for Life charity said they were shocked and appalled by the case.