A brave cafe owner haunted by a “dark and festering secret” for almost 40 years has finally brought the man who sexually abused her to justice.

Emma Harris, who runs Gingerbreads Snack Bar in Herne Bay, was just four when her uncle, Shane Rowden, isolated and targeted her at her home in Whitstable.

The mum-of-three, now 46, says she hid the horrors of what had happened to her for almost four decades as she did not want to upset her family.

But six years ago she found the strength to confide in loved ones and reported Rowden to police, in the hope it would prevent other young girls being abused.

Rowden, 58, was arrested but would cruelly make his victim wait for justice, as he continued to protest his innocence and deny any wrongdoing.

But on Monday - the day his trial was due to start - he finally owned up to his heinous actions and was jailed for 16 months for indecent assault.

Emma, who had been due to give evidence, said: "I’ve waited six years to go to court, to tell my story and be heard.

"I’m upset I didn’t get the chance I’ve been waiting so long for, but am proud of the fact women and others will know what he is - a paedophile."

The court heard Rowden was charged with two indecent assaults on Emma between 1980 and 1981, when he would have been aged 15 and 16.

He denied the offences but, after asking the judge what sentence he would receive if he changed his plea to guilty, he admitted one of the assaults, with the other ordered to lie on file.

Prosecutor Paul Valder outlined the long-term psychological impact the ordeal has had on Emma, who now lives in Herne Bay.

“Over the last 15 years she struggled with mental health to the extent she received medication from her GP,” he said.

Emma, who courageously waived her right to anonymity to speak out, said: "I’ve carried what he did to me as a secret for 40 years, as I didn’t want to upset my family.

"It meant still having to see him at things like family gatherings until I was 20, which was horrible.

"I now have mental struggles daily and use coping mechanisms and medication to help me get through my days."

Rowden, who has been held at HMP Elmley since last May, was released from prison immediately after the sentencing having already served eight months on remand.

The judge had no choice but to sentence him under laws in place at the time of the offending, when indecent assault carried a maximum prison term of only five years.

The same crime today can attract up to 14 years behind bars.

Judge Rupert Lowe told Rowden he would be serving a “significantly longer sentence” had the child abuse been recent.

He added: “You are here today because what you did when you were a teenager has caught up with you.”

Alcoholic Rowden, who will serve the rest of his sentence on licence, will also be on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

His barrister, Tom Dunn, said Rowden “wishes to put this behind him and lead a simple law-abiding life”.

"I'm just glad everyone will now know who he is, what he is, and what he did..."

Emma says she is glad the world will now know what her abuser did to her, but says the conviction is tainted by the fact he is already a free man.

"Eight months inside for what he put me through, and the impact he's had on my life, is insulting," she said.

"I'm just glad everyone will now know who he is, what he is, and what he did, so others don't have to go through the same.

"It was a very long, painful journey but Shane Rowden is not my secret anymore."

If you've been the victim of child abuse and would like support or advice on reporting it to the police, call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.