In an exclusive account, Tara Proffitt has revealed how she courageously confronted her grandfather, Mark Connolly, after his sexual abuse destroyed her family and ultimately led to her mother's murder. Tara, now 39, recorded a chilling confession from Connolly before her mother's funeral, which led to his imprisonment and eventual death in prison.
A Legacy of Abuse
Alison Connolly, Tara's mother, was sexually abused by her father Mark Connolly throughout her childhood. This abuse left her vulnerable and struggling with mental health issues, low self-esteem, and depression. Tara herself was also abused by her grandfather, who forced her to watch pornography and sexually assaulted her. Tara explains, 'The child abuse was the catalyst for everything which went wrong in Mum's life. She was vulnerable and lacking in confidence.'
The Murder
In May 2015, Alison Connolly, then 49, was brutally attacked and stabbed to death by two sisters, Charice and Amberstasia Gassmann, then 19 and 23. The sisters had been bullying Tara's family, and Alison confronted them after they vandalized a moped. Charice was convicted of murder and sentenced to life with a minimum of 19 years, while Amberstasia was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years.
Confronting the Abuser
Before her mother's funeral, Tara decided to confront her grandfather. She waited for him at his home and recorded his confession. 'I waited for him in his house until he came home. I thought he might deny it, but he admitted it all. I got the feeling he was ready to confess, and I had it all on a recording.' Tara took the recording to the police, leading to Connolly's arrest.
Justice in Court
In January 2017, Mark Connolly, 77, appeared before Swindon Crown Court and admitted to sexually abusing and raping five children over forty years. He was jailed for 19 years and died in prison in 2022. Tara says, 'I was glad he went to jail because it meant that other children were safe from him. He ruined my mum's life, and he tried to ruin mine, but I didn't let him.'
Healing and Helping Others
Tara has since trained as a counsellor to support other families affected by murder and manslaughter. She has written a book, 'The Reckoning', which is released this week. She says, 'I forgive her killers, because I don't want to carry that anger with me. I want them to know that our hearts are broken but I will not be defined by pain or upbringing. I am a survivor and my mum's strength lives in me.'
Tara's story is a testament to resilience and the pursuit of justice, even in the face of unimaginable trauma.
