PAUL BENNETT FROM OLDBURY-ON-SEVERN CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN STONEHOUSE
| Red Rose Database
Oldbury-on-Severn Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the local community, Paul Bennett, a 50-year-old resident of Oldbury-on-Severn, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl in Stonehouse during April of this year. The incident took place at a house where the young girl was spending the night, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the assault.
According to court records, Bennett initially admitted to playfully tickling the girl but insisted that there was no sexual intent behind his actions. Despite his claims, the jury at Gloucester Crown Court convicted him of molesting the girl on April 19 after deliberating on the evidence presented. Bennett was remanded into custody to await sentencing scheduled for the following Friday.
During the trial, Bennett also denied an earlier allegation of a similar assault on the same girl, which was reported to have occurred sometime last year under comparable circumstances. The jury, however, cleared him of that particular charge, finding insufficient evidence to convict him of the earlier incident.
Throughout the court proceedings, Bennett’s legal representative, Sarah Jenkins, requested that he be allowed to remain on bail until sentencing. She argued that Bennett had been living at a bail address in Orpen Gardens, Lockleaze, Bristol, and had attended all court hearings without fail, demonstrating his compliance and trustworthiness. Jenkins also expressed concern that Bennett’s borrowed car, which he used to attend court, might be impounded if he was detained.
Prosecutor Tara Wolfe opposed the bail application, citing concerns that Bennett might not surrender himself for sentencing. She highlighted that Bennett had previously threatened suicide following the allegations and was found at Severn Beach at 4 a.m. the next day, raising fears about his willingness to comply with court orders.
Judge Recorder Nigel Lickey QC ultimately denied bail, citing the risk that Bennett might not return for sentencing. The judge remarked, “It appears that shortly after the offences came to light, you left home claiming you were going to take your own life. Whether that was genuine, I do not know. But you were found at Severn Beach at 4 a.m. and arrested. It seems there are valid grounds to fear you will not return on Friday.”
He also expressed concern for Bennett’s safety and well-being while in custody and advised him to make arrangements regarding his vehicle. The court ordered a brief probation service report to be prepared for Friday, which would include an update on the girl’s current situation.
The court heard that the assault occurred when Bennett was staying at a house in Stonehouse, where the young girl was also spending the night. She was sleeping on the sofa, dressed only in her pyjamas on her lower half due to the heat. Bennett entered the living room and placed his hand on her genitals, waking her from her sleep. The girl then got up, went to the bathroom, put on her pants and pyjama trousers, and returned to her sleeping bag. The following morning, she confided in a female relative about what had happened, leading her mother to contact the police.
Bennett’s account of the events was that he arrived at the house around midnight, observed the girl watching TV and playing on her tablet, and approached her. He claimed he kissed her and playfully tickled her on the chest, stomach, legs, and feet, insisting that he did not touch her sexually. When informed of the allegation the next day, Bennett said he was “sick with shock.”
Judge Lickey indicated that he had not yet determined whether the offence would fall into the 1-4 year or the more serious 3-7 year sentencing category. However, he emphasized that either way, an immediate jail sentence was likely, reflecting the gravity of the crime committed in the quiet community of Stonehouse.
According to court records, Bennett initially admitted to playfully tickling the girl but insisted that there was no sexual intent behind his actions. Despite his claims, the jury at Gloucester Crown Court convicted him of molesting the girl on April 19 after deliberating on the evidence presented. Bennett was remanded into custody to await sentencing scheduled for the following Friday.
During the trial, Bennett also denied an earlier allegation of a similar assault on the same girl, which was reported to have occurred sometime last year under comparable circumstances. The jury, however, cleared him of that particular charge, finding insufficient evidence to convict him of the earlier incident.
Throughout the court proceedings, Bennett’s legal representative, Sarah Jenkins, requested that he be allowed to remain on bail until sentencing. She argued that Bennett had been living at a bail address in Orpen Gardens, Lockleaze, Bristol, and had attended all court hearings without fail, demonstrating his compliance and trustworthiness. Jenkins also expressed concern that Bennett’s borrowed car, which he used to attend court, might be impounded if he was detained.
Prosecutor Tara Wolfe opposed the bail application, citing concerns that Bennett might not surrender himself for sentencing. She highlighted that Bennett had previously threatened suicide following the allegations and was found at Severn Beach at 4 a.m. the next day, raising fears about his willingness to comply with court orders.
Judge Recorder Nigel Lickey QC ultimately denied bail, citing the risk that Bennett might not return for sentencing. The judge remarked, “It appears that shortly after the offences came to light, you left home claiming you were going to take your own life. Whether that was genuine, I do not know. But you were found at Severn Beach at 4 a.m. and arrested. It seems there are valid grounds to fear you will not return on Friday.”
He also expressed concern for Bennett’s safety and well-being while in custody and advised him to make arrangements regarding his vehicle. The court ordered a brief probation service report to be prepared for Friday, which would include an update on the girl’s current situation.
The court heard that the assault occurred when Bennett was staying at a house in Stonehouse, where the young girl was also spending the night. She was sleeping on the sofa, dressed only in her pyjamas on her lower half due to the heat. Bennett entered the living room and placed his hand on her genitals, waking her from her sleep. The girl then got up, went to the bathroom, put on her pants and pyjama trousers, and returned to her sleeping bag. The following morning, she confided in a female relative about what had happened, leading her mother to contact the police.
Bennett’s account of the events was that he arrived at the house around midnight, observed the girl watching TV and playing on her tablet, and approached her. He claimed he kissed her and playfully tickled her on the chest, stomach, legs, and feet, insisting that he did not touch her sexually. When informed of the allegation the next day, Bennett said he was “sick with shock.”
Judge Lickey indicated that he had not yet determined whether the offence would fall into the 1-4 year or the more serious 3-7 year sentencing category. However, he emphasized that either way, an immediate jail sentence was likely, reflecting the gravity of the crime committed in the quiet community of Stonehouse.