ROTHERHAM SEX OFFENDERS BEN CHIVERS AND BRETT MCLAUGHLAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In a significant development in the fight against child exploitation in Rotherham, two men, Ben Chivers and Brett McLaughlan, have been brought to justice for their involvement in heinous sexual offenses committed against young girls in 2015. The case, which has garnered considerable attention, highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and local authorities to protect vulnerable minors from predatory individuals.

On November 27, 2017, Sheffield Crown Court handed down a ten-year prison sentence to 20-year-old Ben Chivers, formerly residing in Rawmarsh, Rotherham. Chivers had previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including the rape of a 12-year-old girl, along with three counts of sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl and three counts involving a 14-year-old girl. The court's decision reflects the severity of his crimes and the impact on the victims.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Gareth Gent, representing Rotherham police, provided insight into the case, stating, “Chivers targeted underage girls online, grooming them with affection. Once his victims were in his grasp, he encouraged them to meet up and subjected these three girls to horrendous sexual abuse. They have been remarkably brave throughout our investigation and they are to be commended for their courage. I hope that with the lengthy sentence passed down today, this is another step forward in the girls’ recovery from their abuse, knowing that the person who caused them such harm is now behind bars for a long time.”

Further emphasizing the community's stance against such crimes, Ian Thomas, the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services at Rotherham Council, remarked, “Chivers clearly preyed on these young girls’ vulnerability, knowing full well their ages and what he was doing was wrong. Rotherham is no hiding place for evil, and through our partnership working with South Yorkshire Police and Barnardo’s, we have been able to support these courageous victims and ensure their perpetrators are held accountable. This sentence once again demonstrates our commitment to eradicating such acts of evil and delivering justice.”

As part of his sentence, Chivers was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), underscoring the ongoing monitoring and restrictions placed upon him.

In a related case from October 2017, both Chivers and another man, Brett Ashley McLaughlan, 25, also of Rawmarsh, faced charges for their roles in child sexual offenses committed in Rotherham during 2015. Chivers admitted to raping a 12-year-old girl and engaging in sexual activities with other underage girls, while McLaughlan was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl and was found not guilty of sexual assault. Both men were remanded into custody and are awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled to occur within the next two months after the court reviews reports prepared by probation officers.

During the trial, which commenced in April 2015, the court heard how Chivers and McLaughlan targeted their victims, all under the age of 15, whom they met online before arranging physical meetings to carry out their crimes. The victims, whose identities are protected for legal reasons, displayed remarkable resilience in the face of such trauma, and their bravery has been praised by authorities and community leaders alike. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, reaffirming Rotherham’s commitment to safeguarding its young residents from exploitation and abuse.