BEN CHANDLER FROM GAINSBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG BOYS

In a case that has shocked the community of Gainsborough, 21-year-old Ben Chandler has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offences involving young boys. The incident dates back to April 2012, when Chandler, then a teenager, was found guilty of abusing two boys, one of whom was only five years old at the time.

According to court proceedings at Lincoln Crown Court, Chandler was responsible for sexually assaulting the two young victims after they were allowed to play in his presence. The court heard that Chandler committed three separate rapes, targeting a five-year-old boy and another boy who was seven years old. In addition to these charges, he was convicted of three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

There were also allegations concerning other sexual offences involving a two-year-old child. However, these allegations were not pursued further due to the child's inability to provide evidence, given the toddler's very young age and limited capacity to testify. The court emphasized the severity of the crimes and the danger posed by Chandler's actions.

Judge Michael Heath, presiding over the case, stated that Chandler's repeated offences against such young children left no choice but to impose a custodial sentence. He remarked, “These were serious criminal offences committed against these two much younger boys for your sexual gratification. I cannot avoid custody given the serious nature of these offences and their persistence.”

It was revealed during the trial that one of the victims was only five years old when he was first assaulted, while the other, initially abused at age seven, was subjected to repeated rapes over time. Despite denying the allegations and claiming that the accusations were fabricated, Chandler was convicted after a trial.

Following his conviction, Chandler was sentenced to six years in prison. Furthermore, he has served three years in youth detention prior to his current sentence and has now completed three years on license. Due to the gravity of his offences and the vulnerability of his victims, Chandler will remain on the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from potential harm.