BEN GLEESON AND SHOCKING SEX OFFENDER CASE IN FLINT

A man from Flint, identified as Ben Gleeson, has been officially labeled a sex offender and subsequently incarcerated following his inappropriate conduct involving a young girl. The incident, which has garnered significant attention, took place in Flint, where Gleeson resides on Bryn Derw.

Gleeson, aged 36, appeared before Mold Crown Court via a video link from HMP Berwyn to face sentencing. His appearance came after a prior conviction related to engaging in sexual communication with a minor. The court proceedings revealed the details of the case, which involved disturbing online interactions.

According to the prosecution, led by John Wyn Williams, the victim was contacted through social media platforms by Gleeson. The young girl, distressed by the nature of the messages, confided in her mother after Gleeson made sexually explicit comments and requested her to send indecent images of herself. These messages were reported to the police, leading to Gleeson's arrest. During his arrest, Gleeson chose not to comment on the allegations.

At the court hearing, it was disclosed that Gleeson initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, on the day scheduled for trial, he changed his plea to guilty. Despite this, Gleeson later attempted to manipulate the legal process by delaying his sentencing. He expressed a desire to withdraw his guilty plea and claimed innocence, even informing the author of his pre-sentence report that he intended to seek to vacate his admission of guilt. Nevertheless, this application was never formally made.

Gleeson’s defense lawyer, Max Saffman, explained to the court that his client had finally accepted responsibility for his actions. Saffman noted that Gleeson, who had struggled with alcohol throughout his adult life, was in a different state of mind after spending four weeks in custody. The lawyer argued that Gleeson could benefit from rehabilitation and suggested that imposing conditions such as a restraining order and notification requirements would adequately protect the victim and the public.

However, Judge Rhys Rowlands expressed skepticism about Gleeson’s remorse and insight. The judge criticized Gleeson’s attempts to manipulate the legal process, including last-minute pleas and blame-shifting, which indicated a lack of genuine remorse. The judge described Gleeson’s behavior as troubling and emphasized the seriousness of his crimes.

Considering the gravity of the offense, the judge sentenced Gleeson to 10 months in prison. In addition to the sexual communication charge, Gleeson was also convicted of criminal damage and common assault; however, these convictions did not result in separate penalties, as the court prioritized the sexual offense.

Furthermore, Gleeson was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. To ensure ongoing protection for the victim, a restraining order was issued against him for five years, restricting any contact or proximity to the young girl involved in the case.

This case highlights the ongoing concerns about online safety and the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation and abuse, especially in communities like Flint where such incidents can have profound impacts on victims and their families.