AN abuse victim was so damaged by her ordeal that any mention of her attacker’s first name in the years that followed would cause her to “shudder”, a court heard.

When the woman - a girl at the time of the alleged rapes and sexual assaults - was interviewed by police, she asked if she could refer to Reginald Styles as just “him”.

Mr Styles, now 70, is said to have “emotionally manipulated” the youngster, by telling her people close to her would die if she ever revealed what had happened.

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby told a jury at Teesside Crown Court today that he also beat her with a long bamboo cane if she refused to comply with his demands.

Mr Styles, of Thetford Road, Hartlepool, was arrested after the woman went to police two years ago, but he denied any wrongdoing when he was questioned.

Mr Cleasby told the jury: “The issue in the case is stark. Are you sure that the events she describes happened, or is the defendant right that none of it happened.

“One of the last things he said he her was that if she ever said anything, first of all she wouldn’t be believed, and then he would come and get her.”

The barrister added: “She explained to police in her interview that such had been the impact of his offending on her that she could not bring herself to say his name.

“When she heard the name Reginald in general life, it would cause her to shudder because of what he had done to her as a child. She asked if she could use his name once then call him ‘him’.”

Mr Styles denies six charges of indecency with a child, four of rape and three of indecent assault going back four decades.

Judge Stephen Ashurst told the jury of seven men and five women: “There is a key factual dispute between these people about what happened.

“Cases like this can sometimes give rise to very strong feelings in members of the public, but it’s important at the very beginning of this trial to underline the need for you to approach this case from start to finish on an entirely neutral and impartial basis.

“You might find some of the evidence offensive or disgusting, but you must keep your feet on the ground.”

The trial continues.