A woman indecently assaulted by her stepfather when she was a teenager has spoken of her disgust at a court's decision not to send him to prison.

Michelle Lord, of Burnley, Lancashire, was assaulted by Keith Lewis three times at his home in Main Avenue, Sandford-on-Thames, more than 20 years ago.

She had hoped he would be sent to prison after pleading guilty to indecent assault and attempted indecent assault at Oxford Magistrate's Court in November.

But Lewis, now 63, was given a three-year community rehabilitation order at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, on the condition that he takes part in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders' Programme.

His name will also be included on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years.

Miss Lord, 37, who was 13 at the time of the first offence, waived her right to anonymity as a victim of indecent assault after she heard the sentence.

"I'm disgusted," she said.

"As far as I'm concerned they should have locked him up and thrown away the key for what he did to me.

"He's denied it for years and my mother believes him. It was only when I arranged a lie detector test that he admitted it."

She added: "I've had absolutely no support throughout this from any of my family, apart from my sister.

"It's been hard to come to terms with, but I've managed to build a happy life. It's made me more determined to fight for justice."

Miss Lord said the first offence happened a year after her mother married Lewis 25 years ago.

Lewis moved with her mother to Sandford-on-Thames from Banbury, where he had lived for 30 years.

Miss Lord lived with her father in Burnley but visited their home each Christmas and during school holidays.

She said she came forward in case there were other victims.

"I'm appealing for any other victims to contact the police.

She added: "Men like this should not be allowed to walk free.

"There's no need for people to be scared. They need to speak out."