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Crime Solicitors
Prison sentence doubled for man guilty of child sex abuse (17 January 2018)
Date: 17/01/2018
A man found guilty of sexual offences involving a 6 year old child has had his prison sentenced doubled after the Solicitor General deemed it unduly lenient.
Mr Benfield, 57, was originally sentenced to four years imprisonment on the 13th October 2017 at Portsmouth Crown Court. The Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 8 years and 6 months, more than twice the original imprisonment time. This includes 1 year on licence. Benfield was found guilty of 9 charges of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child at his trial.
The victim was sexually assaulted in her foster home a number of times by Benfield. The abuse began shortly after her sixth birthday – when Benfield was 18 years old – and lasted until 1984, 6 years later.
Benfield was given a relatively lenient sentence due to his age, his immaturity at the time and his current “good character”. At the time of his sentencing, Judge Simon Climie told him that his jail sentence would have been significantly longer had he committed the crimes now.
Following the hearing, the Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP said;
“This is a tragic case where the victim was made to feel unsafe in their own home, blighting many precious years of childhood. I welcome the Court’s decision and hope that the increased sentence brings some comfort and long awaited closure to the victim.”
If you or anyone you know needs advice on any sexual offence contact Rubin Italia, ranked by Legal 500 2017, our sexual offences specialist on 0333 772 0409 or email at rubini@duncanlewis.com.
Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors
Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers are recommended by Legal 500 2017 as a conscientious and professional team who can advise at any stage of a charge involving sexual offences, whether they are current or historical; including rape, attempted rape, conspiracy to rape, sexual assault, grooming, child sexual exploitation, historical charges involving child sexual abuse, revenge porn, prostitution – and making, downloading, or distributing indecent images.
Duncan Lewis has offices across England and Wales meaning a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour. We can advise as soon as a police investigation begins, even prior to an arrest.