A WILTSHIRE woman who was indecently assaulted by paedophile solicitor Michael Pulsford feels she has been left scarred for life by his crime.

The 50-year-old, whose identity is protected by law as the victim of a sexual attack, has suffered from mental health problems for more than 30 years since Pulsford preyed on her when she was a teenager.

Pulsford, 67, formerly of Gastard, gave an address in Streatham, London, when he appeared for sentencing at Southampton Crown Court last Thursday and was jailed for eight years and eight months.

A friend of the attack victim told the Wiltshire Times this week: “She has lived with this since she was a child.

“She is very down at the moment and is finding it difficult to cope. She has had mental health problems for a number of years because of what happened to her.”

Pulsford, a formerly highly respected lawyer, used to work for Chippenham solicitors Jeary & Lewis before his victims came forward.

The court was told he committed offences against local youngsters over a 30-year period from 1974-1989 while working as a youth club leader and volunteer with the Corsham-based church group Urban Saints, which has since closed its base in the town.

The court heard he had sexually abused three young girls and three boys, forcing them to kiss him and touching them inappropriately. The attacks happened at his home in Gastard, as well as at Urban Saints residential camps on the Isle of Wight

Simon Wilshere, prosecuting, said Pulsford had “groomed” one girl for a number of years and sex with her after she turned 16. He even told one 12-year-old boy the offences had happened because he was “pretty”.

The Judge labelled Pulsford a “sexual predator” and said he had taken advantage of his position to abuse young children.

Some of Pulsford’s victims read out statements saying how Pulsford’s attacks had affected them and that they were upset by his emotionless demeanour in court.

The friend said: “It was very difficult for the people to stand up and explain what had happened to them and how it has affected their lives.

“Pulsford was a very clever man who only targeted vulnerable people. He knew which ones to go for.”

Many people took to social media saying Judge Peter Henry should have given Pulsford a longer prison sentence for his crimes.

Hazel King said: “Should of been longer”, while another, Sandra Sheppard, said: “8 years? It should have been 80 years” and Ann Hillman remarked: “Good should be locked up indefinitely”.