AN "inspirational" young man who was repeatedly sexually assaulted more than a decade ago has spoken directly to other victims of child sex offences.

Liam Hallam from Barrow took part in the video because he hopes other victims of sexual abuse will watch it and believe "they too can get justice".

Both Liam, who is transitioning into a male, and his younger sister were subjected to historical abuse at the hands of family friend Scott Webb while he was babysitting them.

Liam hopes to encourage other victims to report abuse - regardless of how long ago it was, how young they were, or how much they fear they will not be believed.

"When I was eight I was repeatedly sexually abused by my babysitter," Liam, now 20, says in the video.

"Scott Webb was 16 at the time.

"He used to pick me up from St George's Primary School round the corner.

"After around a month he started coming into my bedroom."

During filming of the video Liam was approached by a resident who had seen The Mail's reporting of the sentencing.

The woman said: "What you've done is inspirational. Everybody is behind you."

With his unassuming politeness and modesty Liam brushes away the compliment.

While he may not appreciate the significance of his fortitude, especially given his relatively young age, it only takes a few minutes in his company to recognise his unbelievable maturity.

As he speaks to the camera Liam reveals how scared he was as an eight-year-old when Webb targeted him. His sister was just six.

"He would pin me down. He touched me. He terrified me," he says.

"He said it was normal and I may as well get it over and done with.

"He said I was a wimp for crying.

"He said not to tell anyone."

Liam was first interviewed by police in 2007. But it took another decade, and his mum's relentless campaigning, for Webb to finally be charged.

On Tuesday the 28-year-old was jailed for more than eight years, with a further three years on licence, after he pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault and two charges of assault by penetration on two girls.

Liam's closing message is spoken with conviction as he urges other victims of sexual offences to believe justice can, and will, prevail.

"It's taken 12 years but my sister and I have finally got justice. And you can too," he says.

"I want other victims of sexual offences to know what happened to me and to believe they too can get justice."