Tragic Gaia Pope was terrified of seeing ringleader of gang who assaulted her at 17 on his release from jail, her dad reveals
TRAGIC Gaia Pope was tormented by the thought of seeing a gang leader who assaulted her when she was 17, her devastated dad has been revealed.
The 19-year-old was left suffering PTSD after being abused and was terrified her attacker was going to be released from jail when she vanished on November 7.
The student's body has now been found close to cliffs near Swanage, Dorset, with cops ruling out murder.
Her dad Richard Sutherland revealed Gaia, who suffered from epilepsy, was agonised by the assault by the group of men when she was 17.
It is understood the fiends were jailed but traumatised Gaia believed the ringleader was due for release — and feared she would come face-to-face with him again.
Richard, 57, said: “This had a devastating effect. I think this had been coming back into her head. She was scared, confused.”
Gaia's twin sister, Maya, spoke of her heartbreak and vowed to "make her so proud".
Floral tributes have begun to be left on the Alfred Monument, next to the sea front.
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