Child sex abuser jailed for 18 years

CHILD SEX ABUSER JAILED FOR 18 YEARS

Ben Slaney, an offender identified as a dangerous sexual predator, received an 18-year prison sentence.

He is required to serve a minimum of 12 years before being eligible for parole.

A 33-year-old man from Portland Road, Blackpool, Slaney, denied the allegations of abuse and claimed his victim was fabricating the story.

However, a jury convicted him after a trial, finding him guilty of three counts of sexual touching that spanned several incidents over three years.

He was also convicted of sexual assault by penetration and producing images of children categorized as A and B.

The sentencing took place at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, March 18th.

In addition to his prison term, Slaney was issued a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a lifetime restraining order.

He will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

In a statement read to the court the victim said words could not describe how much she envied a life of never having been put through her ordeal.

She added: “I’ve endured a life of pain since the first time that man took advantage, of the little girl I once was.

“I stand proud of myself for defending what’s right as I know he will be on a register for the rest of his life because of his actions.

I have helped achieve justice not only for myself, but also for potential others.

I still find myself wondering how different my childhood could have been if I wasn’t forced to grow up so soon.

“I hope this conviction will give courage to any too scared yet to speak, or too young yet to understand.”