FRANCIS BENSON FROM WELWYN GARDEN CITY SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENSES IN BEDFORD

In a case that has shocked the local community, Francis Benson, a 63-year-old man from Welwyn Garden City, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a young girl. The incident occurred in Bedford, where Benson had gained the trust of a local family under false pretenses.

Despite having prior convictions for sexual offenses against children in 1998, Benson did not disclose his criminal history to the family he was babysitting for. The family, unaware of his past, allowed him to care for their daughters, including a four-year-old girl who became his victim.

The crime came to light earlier this year when Benson was involved in a drive to a park with the young girl. During this outing, he indecently assaulted her, an act that was later confirmed by police investigations. The girl’s mother, concerned about her daughter’s behavior, had a conversation with her about sitting on people's laps, which prompted the girl to disclose the assault.

Following her disclosure, authorities detained Benson, and he was taken into custody. During police interviews, Benson initially denied the allegations but eventually admitted to the indecent assault as the case progressed and the girl was preparing to give evidence in court.

The case was heard at Luton Crown Court, where Judge Jeffrey Burke QC delivered the sentence. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the breach of trust involved, stating, “You got yourself into a position of trust and abused it. This family had no idea of your past.”

As part of his sentence, Benson was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, and he was prohibited from working with children. Additionally, he was subjected to a sex offender prevention order that explicitly forbids him from approaching minors. The court also imposed a three-year extended supervision order, meaning Benson will remain under probation supervision after his release from prison.

It was also revealed that Benson had previously served a 20-month jail term in 1999 for indecently assaulting two children, highlighting a troubling pattern of behavior. The community and the family involved are now left to grapple with the implications of this case, which underscores the importance of vigilance and transparency in protecting vulnerable children from predators.