AARON BENNETT AND SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN HOLSWORTHY AND EXETER

A convicted child rapist from Devon has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term for the sexual abuse of three young girls. Aaron Bennett, aged 33, was found guilty of eleven serious sexual offences during a trial held in October. The case drew significant attention due to the severity of the crimes and the impact on the victims.

Following his conviction, Bennett appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday, November 21, to face sentencing. Judge Stephen Climie handed down a sentence of 28 years in prison, with an additional eight-year extension, reflecting the serious danger Bennett continues to pose to the public. The judge emphasized the profound psychological harm inflicted upon the victims, stating that the crimes marked a dark chapter in Bennett’s life and a new beginning for him behind bars.

Judge Climie remarked on the emotional toll of the case, noting that the evidence presented by the three victims was both compelling and credible. He expressed hope that the sentencing would serve as a step toward allowing the victims to begin healing and moving forward with their lives. The victims, who were all under the age of 13 at the time of the offences, provided heartbreaking testimony about the abuse they endured, which was characterized by threats and violence used by Bennett to silence them.

The court heard that Bennett, of New Exeter Street, Chudleigh, committed a series of heinous acts including rape of a child under 13, attempted rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration. The victims described the trauma they experienced, with one stating that she no longer feels safe around men, while another shared her efforts to recover mentally and emotionally, expressing a desire to focus on the positives despite the pain.

During the proceedings, the court also listened to victim statements that detailed how Bennett used threats to keep them silent, including threats to kill loved ones if they revealed his actions. These threats compounded the psychological distress faced by the victims, who struggled to cope with the abuse in silence.

Bennett’s defense attorney, Mr. Adrian Chaplin, highlighted that Bennett was a man of previously good character and pointed out the delays in bringing the case to court. Nonetheless, Judge Climie determined that an extended sentence was necessary due to the danger Bennett poses. Under the terms of his sentence, Bennett will serve two-thirds of the 28-year term in prison before being considered for release, with the remaining time of what could total 36 years to be served on license.

In addition to his prison sentence, Bennett was placed under an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and registered on the sex offender register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Donna Tullock from the Local Safeguarding Investigation Team praised the bravery of the victims, emphasizing that their courage was instrumental in securing justice. She reaffirmed that Bennett is now behind bars, where he will face the consequences of his actions, and expressed hope that the case would encourage other victims to come forward. Tullock reassured the public that support mechanisms are in place to assist victims throughout the legal process, aiming to provide some measure of reassurance and justice for those affected by Bennett’s crimes.