DAVID PERCY JAILED IN GLASGOW AS SISTERS BREAK SILENCE ON ABUSE
In November 1996, two sisters celebrated as their former abuser, David Percy, began serving a two-year prison sentence.The women, aged 35 and 40 at the time, chose to waive their anonymity to speak out against Percy.
They expressed their relief, saying, "We are both just delighted that justice has been done and one more pervert has been taken off the streets.
Child abuse is an illness." Janey Godley, now 44, who endured abuse and physical violence during her marriage, shared her journey to happiness through comedy.
She recounted breaking down in tears as a child, telling her mother, "Uncle David tickles me down there," and revealing that her uncle, David Percy, had assaulted her from age five until she was around 11 or 12.
She described her mother’s cold response: "If you ever tell your dad, he’ll kill my brother and go to jail, and you’ll have no daddy!" leaving Janey feeling crushed and misunderstood.
Growing up in a cold, smelly two-bedroom flat in Glasgow, Janey shared her home with her sister Ann and brothers Mij and Vid.
Their mother, overwhelmed by life’s hardships, often watched old movies on their black-and-white TV and took Valium to cope with her turmoil.
Their father, an alcoholic, held a job at a steelworks but was absent emotionally.
Janey kept her secret of abuse from the age of five, learning early to avoid her uncle to stay safe, but he always found her.
One day, Ann found Janey crying in the bathroom and learned the truth.
Despite her young age, Ann, then 12, promised to protect her, vowing, "We’ll make sure neither of us is ever alone with him." However, Percy’s abuse escalated to rape, continuing until Janey was around 11 or 12.
She reflected on her father’s absence, knowing he left even though he was aware of her mother’s instability.
Janey continued her studies but left school at 16 for work, initially at an old folks’ home.
Her life remained difficult, with her mother’s new boyfriend beating her and her relationship with Sean Storrie beginning when she was 18.
Sean, 16 at the time, was the son of a local villain who owned the nightclub where Sean worked as a bouncer.
Despite his moodiness, Janey felt a spark when he kissed her, and their relationship blossomed.
When she confided her past abuse to him, Sean listened patiently without pressure.
He proposed three weeks after their first date, and they married on 27 September 1980.
The couple moved into George’s pub in a rough Glasgow area, which Sean’s father owned.
While outwardly happy, Sean’s moods sometimes turned violent—he slapped Janey less than a year into their marriage.
Janey’s world shattered in 1982 when her mother disappeared after a trip with her boyfriend; her mother’s body was later found in the River Clyde, an event Janey believed was not an accident.
In 1986, the birth of their daughter Ashley brought joy, though Janey remained fearful of Sean’s violence.
Despite frequent arguments, she felt unable to leave because she loved her daughter and wanted to protect her from the same violence.
As years went by, Janey and Sean worked hard to improve the pub’s fortunes, but she struggled with nightmares and emotional scars from her childhood.
Reaching out to her sister Ann after many years, Janey finally opened up about her abuse, which led to their father’s involvement and a heartfelt confrontation.
In 1996, at court, Janey faced her uncle David Percy, then 47, as he denied the charges but was ultimately convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to two years in prison.
With Percy’s conviction, Janey expressed relief: "What’s important is that everyone knows what he did." That same year, Sean’s father passed away, prompting the couple to start anew by moving into a two-bedroom flat in Glasgow’s West End.
Sean’s behavior changed dramatically after leaving the stresses of the pub, and at the suggestion of a former customer, Janey took up acting and comedy, adopting the stage name Janey Godley as a symbol of her healing.
Her career flourished—she became a playwright, actor, and award-winning stand-up comedian.
She authored a book, "Handstands In The Dark," about her experiences, and celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with Sean, who openly discusses his regret over his past violence.
They maintain a candid dialogue about their past, even involving their daughter Ashley, now 19 and at university, who is aware of her parents’ struggles.
Looking back, Janey reflected, "I made my decisions based on my circumstances at the time.
If we hadn’t had Ashley, I wouldn’t have tolerated his behavior.
But he was a great dad.
We’re lucky we’ve had a happy ending—many women haven't." Standing on stage and hearing the laughter, she feels she has finally confronted the ghosts of her past, transforming her pain into resilience and success.
She marvels, "Who'd have thought that Janey Currie from the slums would become a successful playwright, actor, and comedian, with a book published?"
