SHAUN ALLAN SHOCKS ANDOVER WITH YEARS OF ABUSE IN DEVASTATING CASE

A woman who endured severe sexual abuse at the hands of her older brother over nearly a decade has courageously spoken out following his conviction and sentencing. Nicky Allan, aged 38, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on a recent Tuesday to witness her brother, Shaun Christopher Allan, 44, admit to committing one count of rape alongside seven counts of indecent assault against her. The offences reportedly began when Nicky was only seven or eight years old.

In a heartfelt interview with the Journal, Ms Allan chose to waive her right to remain anonymous, expressing her desire to be heard after years of suffering in silence. She said, "I just wanted to be heard. I felt nobody had heard my side of the story. It should never have happened, and I wanted justice to be done, and finally it has." Her testimony shed light on the profound trauma inflicted by her brother, which she carried throughout her childhood and into adulthood.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution revealed that Nicky was adopted by Shaun Allan’s parents when she was around five or six years old, after which the family relocated from Canada to a residence on Tidworth Road in Ludgershall, Andover. Prosecutor Rosaleen Collins described the beginning of the abuse, stating that Nicky’s earliest memory of the assaults occurred when she was approximately seven or eight, while Shaun was around 14 or 15.

According to Collins, Shaun Allan would often commit indecent acts against Nicky in her bedroom during times when their mother was not at home. The abuse was not limited to isolated incidents; rather, it was ongoing, with Shaun exploiting every opportunity he could to assault his sister. Collins highlighted the enduring impact this had on Nicky, noting her struggles with sleeping due to fear of further intrusion and how her concentration at school was significantly affected.

After reaching adulthood, Nicky married and moved out, eventually divorcing two years later at the age of 20 and returning to Canada, where she continues to reside. The revelation of her brother’s past crimes—specifically a string of sexual assaults committed against children between 2001 and 2008—led her to report the abuse to authorities. Shaun Allan had previously pleaded guilty to these charges, which resulted in a four-year prison sentence handed down in May 2010.

The court’s sentencing, led by Recorder Geoffrey Mercer, took into account the ongoing humiliation and emotional distress that Nicky had endured due to her brother’s repeated sexual misconduct. It was emphasized that Shaun Allan’s sentence would run consecutively to the four-year term he was already serving, and that his name will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

Expressing her emotional relief, Ms Allan said, “On Monday, even just hearing his name made me fall apart, so I am relieved that he actually admitted to everything. I am satisfied with the sentence. I can finally find closure, return to Canada, and start living my life again.” Her courageous testimony highlights the devastating effects of long-term abuse and underscores the importance of justice for survivors of such crimes in Andover.