SISTERS who spent years being sexually abused by a “sick” predator are furious he was spared jail – because he has dementia.

Pradobh Shukla, who at the time of the trial lived in Church Hill Court in Ainsley Close, will not spend any time behind bars even though he abused Puja and Sita Shah* when they were barely seven and nine.

It took the girls – now 23 and 25 – years to pluck up the courage to take him to court but when they finally did, his condition meant he was unable to stand trial.

As a result, trial of facts was held over four days in September and jurors at Wood Green Crown Court unanimously agreed he “did all the acts charged against him”.

The 88-year-old, the former treasurer of the Enfield Over 50s Forum, was accused of gross indecency towards a child and indecent assault.

But for Puja, who lives in Haringey and Sita, who lives in Enfield, the verdict was bittersweet.

They were relieved that after 15 years of carrying their damning secret around they had some vindication – but heartbroken he went free.

Sita, who was seven when he first abused her, said: “I knew it was wrong. Once he did it in front of people - he is fearless - but I was too young to understand.

“I told my sister and said I wanted to tell mum and dad – but she was scared and stopped me. But then we saw him in India and he did it in a temple, so I spoke up.”

Their mother was understandably shocked and took her children – who by this point were nine and 11 – to the police station but Puja was too afraid to speak up.

Not wanting to put her daughter through the stress of it, they family tried to go on with their lives – but their ordeal was far from over.

When Sita was in the school playground during breaktime one afternoon, she spotted him and saw he was watchng her, and was left incredibly distressed.

Years went by and the girls coped with their secret in different ways. While Puja went through a rebellious stage, Sita focussed her efforts on her school work.

Their mother said: “It ruined our lives. They used to be such happy-go-lucky girls with so many plans for the future. But as a family, this tears you apart. It puts a strain on everything.”

But when another girl came forward to say the same thing had happened to her, the sisters finally found the strength to go back to the police and take him to court.

Puja said: “The trial was hell. It was horrible. The whole year built up to that one week. I had the courage to do it through my sister, we motivated each other.

“It was awful hearing about what had happened to her and the other girl in court. But I am so glad we did it.”

The judge banned him from being in the same room as a child under the age of 16 without their parent or guardian present, or spending the night in the same house as a child under 16.

He has also had to sign the sex offenders register.

But the verdict brings little comfort to the sisters. Puja said: “It was a relief when he was found guilty, but a strange feeling.

“We feel as though we haven’t got justice because he’s not in prison. He’s out there and can go to the library or wherever he wants.

“He is sick and he is still a threat. He is out and free to do whatever he wants, and he is mobile. That isn’t fair.”

With the trial over, they are now looking forward to getting their lives back on track.

Sita said: “It shaped me – I never trusted anyone and I was very cautious. Even today, I get angry very quickly towards my boyfriend. I am a very cautious person now.”

They chose to speak in the hopes of inspiring other victims to come forward without feeling ashamed.

It is a little-talked about subject across the Indian community – but the sisters want to fight for change.

Sita added: “In our ethnic community, you don’t talk about things like this. People think nobody will marry a sexual abuse victim. But there is nothing to be embarrassed about – it happens in every community.

“Somebody has got to stand up to sexual abusers. You must not let these people get away with it. You are not alone. Don’t be ashamed – you did nothing wrong. It’s not your fault.

“We were lucky our parents believed us and didn’t brush it under the carpet. Remember that speaking up will ultimately prevent anyone else having to face what we did – that’s important.”

A statement from Mr Shukla’s family said: “The Court decided that Mr Shukla was unfit to stand trial due to poor health. Only one side of events was heard. Mr Shukla did not have an opportunity to state his case and defend himself against these allegations. Mr Shukla strongly denies all allegations and his whole family stand by him.”

*All names have been changed to protect identities.