Two sisters who suffered years of sexual abuse at their grandfather’s hands have spoken out.
Toni Quirke (now 20) and Sophie (now 22), have spoken out to openly discuss the ordeal that ‘destroyed their childhood’, in the hopes of inspiring other victims.
Paul Wallis (66) was sentenced to seven year imprisonment at Canterbury Crown Court.
The grandfather would sneak into the bedroom of the girls and place his hands on their bottoms, forcing them to kiss him.
Sophie (top right), 22, and Toni Quirke (bottom right), 20, have spoken out after suffering years of sexual abuse at the hands of their grandfather, Paul Wallis, 66 (pictured left)
Toni (left), Sophie (right), and Toni, (left), waived anonymity to discuss the ordeal that ‘destroyed’ their childhood in the hope that it would encourage other victims to do what they did.
Sophie and Toni recalled childhood weekends spent baking, playing games and doing puzzles at their father’s parents’ home in Sturry, Kent.
Toni said: ‘They’d take us shopping, spoil us…grandparenty things.’
Sophie said, “Our grandad was more like a father to us than our own dad.”
“His presence made me feel instantly secure and everything else disappeared.” He was my hero. That was until one day.
Wallis touched the girls in an inappropriate way when they were about eight and six years old.
Sleeping over at their grandparents’ house, they woke to find someone in bed between them.
Wallis, aged 66, was sentenced on Friday to seven-year imprisonment at Canterbury Crown Court.
Sophie said, “It clicked that it had been my grandad. I could smell what I now know is alcohol on someone’s breath.
“He was tickling me back and I tried falling asleep. He reached for my knickers, and began to touch me.
‘I said ‘no’ and moved away, and he took his hand away.
‘I rolled over and said ‘I think you should go get in bed with nan now grandad’, and he got up and he left.
‘Me and Toni looked at each other, and I said ‘did grandad just put his hands on you too?’ She said ‘yes’, and it was kind of like ‘oh, OK’ and we rolled over and went to sleep.’
It would take years for the young girls to understand that their grandad’s actions were sexual abuse.
They began to feel uncomfortable around him as they grew older.
It would take years for the young girls to understand that their grandad’s actions were sexual abuse
Sophie suffered from depression and became a troubled teenager. She smoked, drank, self-harmed, and argued with her mother daily.
At the age of 14, she moved in with her father, Wallis’s son, and later her grandparents, where she began feeling ‘constantly on edge’.
Sophie said that her grandad was a alcoholic and would be ‘handsy’ when he drank.
She added: ‘I lost count of the number of nights that I hid under the covers in my bed pretending I was asleep, just so I wouldn’t have to smell his alcohol breath on my face as he forced me to give him a ‘real kiss’.
‘I learned to shower in five minutes, so I didn’t have to have my clothes off for too long.’
Toni, who visited on weekends, remembers pretending to be ill so she could go home earlier.
She said, “This fear of being with my grandad while he drank evolved into a threat to me and I began to see all men as a danger to me, especially if their drinking was excessive.”
“I was very cautious around men, and I still am.
Both girls struggled with reconciling the doting grandfather who gave them treats and who abused them.
Sophie said that he was an amazing man who was our safe space but was also our abuser.
They kept quiet for many years, afraid of what would happen if they spoke out about their grandfather.
But in summer 2015, at the age of 16, Sophie found the courage to approach her mother about his abuse and Toni followed in her footsteps.
Louise Harvey-Quirke (City Councillor for Canterbury) described it as a “bombshell” moment.
She said that she absolutely worshipped Paul. He was my father to me. He was so genuine and so caring.
“But as soon the girls made their allegation it put everything in question, all his motives.
Sophie (above) was 16 when she had the courage to confront her mother about the abuse. Toni followed her steps.
Wallis was taken into custody in the spring 2016 and four other victims came forward bravely to make allegations about abuses he had committed between 1984-2016.
Overwhelmed by what happened, Sophie’s mental health has deteriorated and she has made several suicide attempts.
She said, “For years, I never slept soundly. I would have nightmares and wake up screaming.” I rarely ate.
‘I became a recluse and couldn’t hold down a job. I went to the pub every time I left the house.
Sophie is currently pregnant with her first child. She says that becoming pregnant has helped her get out of those dark places.
However, she struggles to maintain her relationships and battles severe anxiety.
Toni too remains deeply scared by her grandad’s abuse.
She stated, “I feel like I have lost all of the confidence I had before this started.”
‘I struggle to talk about anything intimate and I don’t feel that I show love.
“I know I am emotionally closed off and distant. This hurts my mother.
She hopes to become a dancer, but she finds it difficult to wear leotards in a group of men or to be touched.
‘I feel that my grandad’s actions are preventing me from doing what I love,’ she said.
Wallis was sentenced Friday by the courtroom with four of his sisters and four other victims.
The 66 year-old sat in the dock, watching as his victims wept.
The court heard from him that he insisted on children being cared for kissing him on his lips, and he attacked others as they slept.
Both girls had to work together to reconcile their grandfather, who lavished them with treats and sex with the man who had violated them.
Peter Forbes, the prosecutor, stated that Wallis would offend if he was drunk and ‘whenever the opportunity presented itself.
One victim told how she had been injured by the attacks.
She stated that Paul Wallis, the predator, had changed her life. I feel revulsion and shudder at these memories.
Other victims reported experiencing flashbacks, deteriorating psychological health, and troubled adult relationships.
Judge Catherine Brown sentenced Wallis to seven years imprisonment in front of a packed public gallery. She called his actions ‘lecherous’, and his attitude limited in insight and remorse’.
“You were selfish and didn’t care that you were assaulting victims. Some of them were asleep and vulnerable and many were vulnerable in different ways.
Wallis pleaded guilty in advance to three counts of indecent attack, sexually assaulting under-13-year-olds and four counts sexual activity with a juvenile.
Six additional sexual offense charges will be filed.
Wallis pleaded guilty to three counts each of indecent assault and sexually assaulting a minor under 13 years old, as well as four counts of sexual activity.
Toni and Sophie expressed deep appreciation to the police officers for their work in the case. They are pleased with Wallis’ sentence.
Sophie said: ‘Hopefully, we’ll now be able to move on and have the closure we’ve been so desperate for.’
Toni stated that the case had consumed her entire life. It has destroyed my sister and tore my mother apart over the past six years.
“I am so proud to all the victims. I am glad that we were able to all say what was necessary when it was most important.
Their mother said, “I am incredibly proud” of her daughters. They have been strong, brave and unaffected throughout.
“I wish all the victims could now find peace and be able to sleep a little more easily.”
Toni and Sophie hope their experiences will help to raise awareness of abuse, and encourage other survivors and victims to speak out.
Sophie said: “You may not believe these things happen in family or that they would ever happen to you, but it does happen.”
‘We know how hard it is to speak up, but once you’ve done it you’re going to be OK.
‘There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, even if you don’t feel like there is.
‘You’re not alone.’
If you’re worried about a child, contact the NSPCC’s professional counsellors for help, advice and support on 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
Samaritans can provide confidential support for emotional issues by calling 116 123 anytime or visiting their website.