Their long wait for justice finally ended yesterday .

After suffering in silence for more than three decades, the tormented child abuse victims of former canoeist John Phelps had been forced to relive their harrowing ordeals in court.

Their version of the sickening events, which had sullied their childhood memories and left deep mental scars, was believed by jurors.

And yesterday the father-of-two, who had molested them over a 20-year period, was jailed for 12 years.

The sentence came just months after John Phelps’ brother, Olympic medal-winning diver Brian Phelps, was sent to prison for nine years after admitting a similar catalogue of child abuse offences.

Unlike Brian, 52-year-old John Phelps, a former bodybuilder from Edwina Drive, Poole, protested his innocence to the end. His family, who had stood by him throughout his trial, was in court to see him being sentenced.

Afterwards DC Andy Shah from Poole child protection unit told the Daily Echo: “It has been a very traumatic time for John Phelps’ victims.

“He made them relive their experiences in court. Fortunately the jury believed them; they are all relieved that, after all these years, he has finally got what he deserved.

“Coming forward and giving evidence in court is very difficult but it is important that other victims realise that their voices will also be heard.”

It was only after John Phelps, who ran Shapes Gym in Poole, had been found guilty of rape, 13 indecent assaults and three crimes of gross indecency that his victims finally found the courage to speak of the devastating effects of his abuse.

One was so traumatised she developed the eating disorder bulimia and was treated for depression. She said she felt “dirty”, had difficulty forming relationships and described day-to-day living as “a constant battle.” But “after being dragged through the humiliation of giving evidence in court”, she felt stronger and more confident.

Another victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said she had found it difficult to trust men. After spending most of her life suffering from anxiety and stress, she had finally confided in her husband. Giving evidence in court had been physically and emotionally traumatic.

A third victim said she found it hard to trust men and was self-conscious of her body, often feeling “tainted, very isolated and alone”. She had suffered depression and nightmares.

Another victim turned to alcohol. She said: “I find it difficult to have a normal relationship; the trial was distressing, particularly the suggestion that I was lying. It was one of the most fearful and upsetting experiences of my life.”

Judge John Harrow told John Phelps: “Your victims have had to live with psychological damage over all those years.”

Phelps showed no emotion as he was led away.