A MAN has been jailed for more than ten years for multiple sexual offences against children and a woman, which have all left his victims still struggling with the trauma years later.
The defendant, Richard Bennett, 66, of Bowhayes, Crewkerne, Somerset, appeared in Taunton Crown Court on August 3 of this year.
Bennett has been convicted of the following charges:
- sexual activity with a child (three counts)
- inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- indecent assault on a child under 16
- sexual assault of an adult woman
These offences took place on November 9, 2021, between July 17, 2008, and July 18, 2010, January 7, 2014, and January 8, 2015, and February 22, 1999, and February 23, 2001.
During Bennett’s sentencing, the court heard from Chloe Griggs, prosecuting, that he inappropriately 'massaged' children’s naked bodies and asked a teenager if they were willing to have sex with him in return for a mobile phone, said he was in love with a teenager and would have 'cuddling sessions' with a teenager during which he would get them to sit on his lap and engage in a 'prolonged cuddle.'
The court heard that there was another incident when he got a child to sit on his lap and started forcefully kissing their neck, along with inappropriate touching.
He stopped after they burst into tears.
It was also heard that he blocked a child’s path, asked if they were wearing underwear, lifted them up, pulled up their top, and touched them.
The court heard he bit a woman’s breasts three times over clothing.
Two of Bennett’s victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in court to read their victim personal statement and at times broke down in tears.
One said: "Puberty was an uncomfortable and confusing time for me; this was a time when I should have learned to understand my body, not for someone else to abuse it.
"I began to hate myself; I experienced overwhelming feelings of shame that spiralled into suicidal thoughts.
"I still now struggle with the trauma inflicted on me by Richard.
"The psychological effects this has had on my young mind sometimes still overcome me.
"It is something I will live with every day.
"Reporting and explaining what Richard did to me was humiliating.
"The humiliation continued in court where I had to detail what Richard did to me and fight my corner.
"I feel like I will have to spend the rest of my life fixing something that I never broke."
The other victim said: "My confidence and self-worth have suffered greatly.
"It has left me feeling unable to trust.
"Even now I still feel the impact of what happened.
"His actions left me damaged in a way that cannot be repaired.
"For me, it felt like years waiting in limbo.
"It felt as though my life was paused while I waited for the opportunity to finally be heard.
"Yet despite this, I continued because I knew the truth mattered.
"What hurts most is knowing that what was taken away from me can never truly be returned.
"The trust that was broken can never simply be restored.
"The result of what happened is irreversible.
"Today I stand before the court not just for myself but for the child I was.
"In a way this is a final goodbye.
"I cannot change what has happened; I cannot recover the years that have been lost.
"I have carried this pain for many years.
"Today my voice is finally being heard."
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Another read victim personal statement said giving their evidence in court was 'one of the hardest things I have ever done, knowing Richard Bennett was in the same building.'
Another said: "I remember the day I was told about [those] who reported Richard Bennett for touching them like it was yesterday.
"It was the worst day of my life.
"I just wanted it over with so I could move on.
"I cannot trust people. I still feel vulnerable every day.
"I should be enjoying my later years. Not beginning again."
Mark Worsley, acting as defence, said that Bennett has suffered a decline in his mental and physical health over the years, was previously of good character, and is at low risk of further offending.
Worsley said Bennett 'takes full responsibility' of his actions and 'is remorseful.'
During his sentencing, His Honour Judge Shepherd said: "During the trial you attempted to make yourself out as a victim, but the truth of the matter is, from my assessment of the evidence, is at your core you are selfish because your only focus was what made you feel good when your primary focus should have been to make others feel good."
Bennett has been given a total custodial sentence of 10 years and four months and will be on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.
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