STEVE BENNETT, THE DANGEROUS SEX OFFENDER FROM HULL, TARGETS 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL ON SNAPCHAT
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Hull, Steven Bennett, a convicted sex offender, has been found guilty of targeting an 11-year-old girl with highly sexualised messages via Snapchat, just weeks after his release from prison.The incident highlights the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of sexual offences, especially those who are released on licence and continue to engage in predatory behaviour.
According to court proceedings, Bennett, aged 42, had been residing in a bail hostel located on Queens Road in Hull following his release from a previous six-year prison sentence for sexual offences.
His release occurred on October 31, 2022, and he was under supervision, but within a short period, he resumed his troubling conduct.
On December 10, 2022, police were alerted to Bennett’s inappropriate communications with an 11-year-old girl on Snapchat, after her mother discovered suspicious messages on her daughter's device.
The mother, who had been monitoring her daughter's online activity, noticed messages originating from a man at the address of the bail hostel where Bennett was living.
Concerned, she took screenshots of the exchanges before they disappeared.
The messages included Bennett attempting to persuade the girl to have her friends add him on Snapchat, and the girl had even sent him an intimate video of herself.
This revelation caused the mother to realize the severity of the situation and prompted immediate action.
Police arrested Bennett at the hostel on December 11, 2022.
During questioning, Bennett denied any contact with the girl and claimed to have no recollection of the chat conversations.
He also insisted that he had no sexual interest in children and denied any involvement in the offences for which he had previously been convicted.
However, the evidence collected by the authorities painted a different picture.
Prosecutor Patrick Palmer outlined that Bennett had admitted to engaging in sexual communication with a child between November 21 and 28, 2022.
He also pleaded guilty to causing a child to engage in sexual activity and to three breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.
The court heard that Bennett’s prior convictions included a 2006 conviction for sexually assaulting a girl under 13, for which he served two years in prison.
His recent actions, occurring shortly after his release, demonstrated a pattern of dangerous behaviour.
The victim’s mother expressed her profound disgust and concern, describing Bennett as a “predator” who had exploited her daughter’s naivety and insecurities.
She recounted the emotional toll the ordeal had taken on her family, describing it as a “nightmare” that lasted for 18 months.
She emphasized that Bennett’s early release from prison had facilitated his reoffending and expressed her desire to prevent others from experiencing similar trauma.
She also thanked the police for their diligent work in bringing Bennett to justice.
In mitigation, Oliver Shipley acknowledged the gravity of Bennett’s actions and emphasized that a significant custodial sentence was inevitable.
He highlighted the importance of risk reduction and rehabilitation, noting that Bennett had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Despite this, the court recognized the seriousness of his behaviour and the danger he posed.
Recorder David Kelly addressed the court, stating that Bennett’s use of Snapchat to communicate with the girl was particularly concerning.
The court noted that Bennett was a registered sex offender living at the Queens Road bail hostel at the time of the offences.
The victim had naively believed Bennett to be a trustworthy friend, but he had manipulated her and attempted to involve her friends in the inappropriate exchanges.
The court also highlighted that Bennett had been released from prison only a few weeks prior to these offences, after serving a sentence for similar crimes.
Further emphasizing the risk Bennett posed, the court recalled his previous conviction from July 2006 for sexually assaulting a girl under 13.
Despite his release, he had almost immediately resumed offending while on licence.
The judge concluded that Bennett was a dangerous individual who continued to pose a significant threat to the public.
As a result, Bennett was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.
Additionally, he will be subject to an extended licence period of three years upon his release.
The court also ordered that the indefinite sexual harm prevention order remain in place, ensuring ongoing restrictions and monitoring to protect potential future victims.
