ADAM BENISTON, FORMER MABLETHORPE KICKBOXING CHAMPION, RETURNED TO PRISON IN SUTTON-ASHFIELD FOR BREACH OF SEX OFFENDER PROTECTION ORDER
In December 2015, Adam Beniston, a former world kickboxing champion and convicted sex offender from High Street, Mablethorpe, was re-incarcerated for breaching the Sex Offenders' Notification Order (SOPO).The 30-year-old had been prohibited from being near girls under 16 after his 2012 conviction for engaging in relationships with two 14-year-old girls.
Beniston was released on license after serving half of a five-year prison sentence.
He subsequently joined Starbox Gym in Stanton Hill, Nottinghamshire.
However, police arrested him in November after receiving a tip-off that he had violated his SOPO by joining the gym without informing authorities.
Court proceedings revealed that Beniston had not disclosed his past to staff at the gym, which regularly had children present.
It was noted that his training sessions as a professional kickboxer often drew crowds, some of whom were children.
Furthermore, he had volunteered to teach classes at the gym, though there was no evidence suggesting he intended to work with minors.
Prosecution lawyer Steven Taylor stated, "It was quite clear he was going to place himself in situations where he would come into contact with young people.
He wanted to play a significant role in the club." Mitigation lawyer William Bennett acknowledged the breach, stating, "He accepts it’s a breach of the order, and it was his responsibility.
He only has himself to blame, he accepts that." Bennett explained that Beniston, once recognized as Lincolnshire Sports Awards Coach of the Year, had been living with his grandfather and had joined the gym as a means to relieve stress.
He also expressed that Beniston intended to apologize to the gym owner for the embarrassment caused.
Previously residing in Mansfield and Mablethorpe, Beniston's most recent address listed him as staying on Haddon Street in Sutton.
His original jail sentence was imposed at Lincoln Crown Court in October 2012, where Judge Michael Stokes QC sentenced him to eight months, to run concurrently with his existing sentence.
It is currently understood that he will serve at least another six months, but he could remain incarcerated until October 2017, potentially serving the full five-year sentence.
In relation to his 2012 conviction, the court heard that Beniston was convicted of eleven counts of sexual activity involving two 14-year-old girls, committed between July 2010 and November 2011.
Judge Sean Morris described his actions as highly damaging, emphasizing the breach of trust and grooming behavior involved.
Beniston was also publicly recognized as Coach of the Year in 2011 by the Lincolnshire Sports Awards and was a runner-up for Sportsman of the Year.
His offenses, which involved sexual contact, kissing, and grooming, led to his being placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and barred from any work involving minors.
His first victim was a girl he befriended in June 2010, initially making advances through kisses during star-gazing sessions, eventually involving up to 30 sexual encounters.
After the girl’s mother learned of the relationship, police were notified, but both she and her father concealed details for some time.
Despite evidence and accusations, Beniston claimed the allegations were “fantasy” during police interviews.
Shortly thereafter, he engaged with a second 14-year-old girl through texts, leading to meetings before school and sexual encounters on separate occasions.
When the girl expressed concern about pregnancy, she consulted a school nurse, which further strained her relationship with Beniston.
The court highlighted that at the time, he was reportedly experiencing personal difficulties with a long-term partner, who later had his child.
Defense lawyer Sarah Munro acknowledged Beniston’s previous achievements and the good work he had done but emphasized his foolishness in these events, stating, “He was a world champion kickboxer and he coached many other world champions.
He has done a lot of good work but has now lost everything.
He acknowledges that what he has done was extremely foolish.” Beniston, who moved from Mansfield to Lincolnshire three years prior to his conviction, had previously received accolades including Coach of the Year in 2011 at the Lincolnshire Sports Awards.
