A DAD who served in the Armed Forces for over a decade has avoided an immediate jail term for ‘sexual activity’ with an underage girl in Cumbria.
Ben Bennett, 39, kissed the girl on her lips while she was under the influence of alcohol for the first time, prosecutor Robert Dudley told Preston Crown Court.
His Honour Judge Guy Mathieson said: “You maintain she fabricated her account.
"You paint yourself out to be a saint when you are very much a sinner.”
Mr Dudley said Bennett also engaged in sexual communications with an underage teenager on Snapchat.
Bennett was convicted of sexual activity with a child and engaging in sexual communications with a child following a trial. He was acquitted of rape and other child sex offences.
The court heard he had no previous convictions and that he had served in the RAF for 12 years with distinction.
In mitigation, Richard English (KC) said: “There has been no further offending since he was arrested.
“There will be significant protection under the notification requirements.
“There is a disparity in age but this was opportunistic rather than a targeted offence.
“There is a low risk of reoffending, and he does not pose any harm to children. There has been a substantial delay. The delay cannot be blamed on him.
“He is the carer for his father who had a stroke 15 years ago. He fell nine months ago and is very frail. He requires constant care which is down to the defendant. He wants to keep his father at home for as long as possible.”
Judge Mathieson suspended a four-month custodial sentence for 18 months and ordered Bennett, of Hastings Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
He also imposed a restraining order and made Bennett the subject of notification requirements for 10 years.
Share