BENJAMIN LILLY SHOCKS PLYMOUTH WITH YEARS OF VOYEURISM AT LOCAL LIFE CENTRE

A disturbing case has come to light in Plymouth, where Benjamin Lilly, a former lifeguard at the Plymouth Life Centre, has been sentenced for a series of voyeuristic crimes involving young girls. The Plymouth Crown Court heard that Lilly, who resides on Chaucer Way in Plymouth, admitted to seven counts of voyeurism, along with charges of attempting to induce a child to engage in sexual activity, creating moving images of minors, and possessing Category C child sex images.

The incident that led to his arrest occurred in December 2023 when a 12-year-old girl noticed a mobile phone being used covertly to film her while she was changing in a cubicle. Recognizing the suspicious behavior, she confided in her grandmother, who promptly raised the alarm with the authorities. CCTV footage from the Plymouth Life Centre confirmed Lilly’s involvement, leading to his immediate arrest the following day.

Detective Constable Mike Evans praised the swift action taken by staff at the facility, which was instrumental in identifying and apprehending Lilly. The police investigation revealed that Lilly had engaged in similar inappropriate conduct over a span of several years, dating back to 2015. Authorities seized multiple devices from his residence, all containing videos of girls aged between 12 and 15, which he had recorded and stored.

At 34 years old, Lilly had no prior criminal record, and the court took into account his potential for rehabilitation. Ultimately, he was sentenced to a two-year prison term suspended for two years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offense within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which imposes restrictions on his activities to prevent further offending.

The community reacted with horror to the revelations of Lilly’s prolonged misconduct. Plymouth Active, the local authority responsible for safeguarding, expressed their disappointment and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting residents. They clarified that Lilly was employed briefly as a casual lifeguard, and his offending was discovered after a staff member identified suspicious behavior outside of duty hours. This incident underscored the effectiveness of their safeguarding procedures.

Authorities reassured the public that all employees undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, emphasizing that safeguarding remains a top priority. The case, which uncovered eight years of offending behavior, has deeply shocked the local community and authorities alike. They pledged to continue their efforts to ensure the safety of children and to deliver swift justice for victims of such heinous crimes.