CHRISTOPHER BENTON SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN CRICKLADE AND SWINDON
| Red Rose Database
Cricklade Rapist
In January 2014, Christopher Benton, a 66-year-old man from Cricklade, was handed a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences committed over several decades. Benton’s criminal history includes a previous conviction for rape from the 1970s, highlighting a troubling pattern of predatory behavior that spanned his adult life.
His latest crimes involved the abuse of two young girls, both of whom were approximately ten years old or younger at the time of the offences. Benton subjected these vulnerable victims to repeated acts of sexual assault, with the first incident occurring during the 1990s. Over the course of that decade, he repeatedly molested the first girl, causing profound emotional and psychological trauma.
Later, in the early 2010s, Benton engaged in a similar pattern of abuse against the second girl, continuing his predatory conduct into the new decade. The victims endured a harrowing ordeal, and despite their suffering, Benton denied all charges during the trial, refusing to admit guilt or show remorse.
Following an eight-day trial at Swindon Crown Court, a jury found Benton guilty of all 21 charges brought against him. These charges included multiple counts of sexual assault, as well as possession of indecent images of children, which were discovered on his computer. The evidence presented was compelling, and the jury’s verdict confirmed his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Robin Shellard, representing Benton, acknowledged to the court that there was no mitigation for his client’s actions, especially after a lengthy trial. He did, however, note that Benton would serve approximately two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Shellard remarked, “The reality is that the sentence Your Honour passes today, of not a life sentence, is almost as makes no difference.”
Judge Tim Mousley QC delivered the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of Benton’s crimes. He stated, “You have been convicted by a jury of 21 counts relating to your sexual activity throughout nearly all of the 1990s and again between 2010 and 2012. In the 1990s, you would have been in your 40s, and now you are in your 60s. You have previous convictions from 1977 for rape and attempted rape when you were in your 20s.”
The judge highlighted the extensive duration and severity of Benton’s offending, noting that his actions had a lasting impact on the victims. “They at least have got justice or at least a measure of it,” he said, acknowledging the courage it took for the victims to testify. “Their lives are ruined, and that is due to what you did. They were very young at the time—one was less than ten years old, and the other was not much older.”
Judge Mousley described Benton’s conduct as “prolonged, persistent, and frequent,” and expressed deep concern over the emotional and psychological scars inflicted upon the victims, which many cannot fully comprehend. He also pointed out that Benton’s depravity extended beyond direct abuse, as he later resorted to viewing indecent images of young girls on his computer to satisfy his sickening urges.
In addition to the 19-year prison term, Benton was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Prosecutors indicated that they plan to seek a sexual offences prevention order to further restrict his liberty once he is released from prison, aiming to prevent any future harm.
Overall, the case underscores the serious and long-lasting consequences of Benton’s actions, and the justice served aims to hold him accountable for his decades of predatory behavior in Cricklade and Swindon.
His latest crimes involved the abuse of two young girls, both of whom were approximately ten years old or younger at the time of the offences. Benton subjected these vulnerable victims to repeated acts of sexual assault, with the first incident occurring during the 1990s. Over the course of that decade, he repeatedly molested the first girl, causing profound emotional and psychological trauma.
Later, in the early 2010s, Benton engaged in a similar pattern of abuse against the second girl, continuing his predatory conduct into the new decade. The victims endured a harrowing ordeal, and despite their suffering, Benton denied all charges during the trial, refusing to admit guilt or show remorse.
Following an eight-day trial at Swindon Crown Court, a jury found Benton guilty of all 21 charges brought against him. These charges included multiple counts of sexual assault, as well as possession of indecent images of children, which were discovered on his computer. The evidence presented was compelling, and the jury’s verdict confirmed his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Robin Shellard, representing Benton, acknowledged to the court that there was no mitigation for his client’s actions, especially after a lengthy trial. He did, however, note that Benton would serve approximately two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Shellard remarked, “The reality is that the sentence Your Honour passes today, of not a life sentence, is almost as makes no difference.”
Judge Tim Mousley QC delivered the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of Benton’s crimes. He stated, “You have been convicted by a jury of 21 counts relating to your sexual activity throughout nearly all of the 1990s and again between 2010 and 2012. In the 1990s, you would have been in your 40s, and now you are in your 60s. You have previous convictions from 1977 for rape and attempted rape when you were in your 20s.”
The judge highlighted the extensive duration and severity of Benton’s offending, noting that his actions had a lasting impact on the victims. “They at least have got justice or at least a measure of it,” he said, acknowledging the courage it took for the victims to testify. “Their lives are ruined, and that is due to what you did. They were very young at the time—one was less than ten years old, and the other was not much older.”
Judge Mousley described Benton’s conduct as “prolonged, persistent, and frequent,” and expressed deep concern over the emotional and psychological scars inflicted upon the victims, which many cannot fully comprehend. He also pointed out that Benton’s depravity extended beyond direct abuse, as he later resorted to viewing indecent images of young girls on his computer to satisfy his sickening urges.
In addition to the 19-year prison term, Benton was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Prosecutors indicated that they plan to seek a sexual offences prevention order to further restrict his liberty once he is released from prison, aiming to prevent any future harm.
Overall, the case underscores the serious and long-lasting consequences of Benton’s actions, and the justice served aims to hold him accountable for his decades of predatory behavior in Cricklade and Swindon.