LESLEY BENNETT SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS FOR ABUSE IN SANDY, STEVENAGE, AND WATFORD

In a case that has spanned over two decades, Leslie Bennett, aged 61 and residing in Watford, has been handed a ten-year prison sentence after being convicted of multiple sexual offences committed against young children. The crimes took place across several locations, including Sandy, Stevenage, Watford, Surrey, and Alicante, highlighting the extensive geographical reach of his offending behavior.

Between the years 1977 and 1999, Bennett engaged in a disturbing pattern of abuse involving both boys and girls, all aged between seven and fifteen years old. His victims were subjected to repeated acts of sexual misconduct over a prolonged period, with each child enduring abuse over several years. The investigation revealed that Bennett’s offending spanned multiple regions, and his move to Spain in 1988 did not halt his criminal activities.

On September 19, during court proceedings, Leslie Bennett pleaded guilty to ten separate charges related to his victims. These charges included five counts of indecent assault on girls under the age of 14, three counts of indecent assault on boys under 14, and two counts of gross indecency involving boys under 18. The court, sitting at St Albans Crown Court, sentenced Bennett to a decade behind bars on Thursday, emphasizing the severity of his crimes.

Detective Constable Jo Goodson, representing Hertfordshire Police, expressed her views on the case, stating, “This is a really positive result and would not have been possible without the courage and determination of the victims and their families through this lengthy investigation. I would like to thank them for all their help and hope today’s sentence brings them a sense of closure to all this.”

She further emphasized the dedication of the law enforcement officers involved, noting, “The sentence is also due to the hard work and dedication of our highly skilled officers who work in the Local Crime Group in Watford bringing Bennett to justice. Today’s result shows how seriously we take offences of this kind and that offenders will be dealt with robustly.”

Detective Goodson also highlighted the disturbing nature of Bennett’s crimes, describing him as a “serial abuser who preyed on children and young teenagers.” She expressed concern that, given the prolific nature of his offending, there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. She urged anyone who might have been affected, whether in the UK or Spain, to do so, assuring them that they and their families would receive support and assistance throughout the process.