BENJAMIN POWELL SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILD IN SAXMUNDHAM

A man named Benjamin Powell, aged 40 and residing in Saxmundham, has been handed down a substantial prison sentence of 16 years following his conviction on multiple serious sexual offences involving a young girl. The court proceedings took place at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 17 January, where Powell was formally sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, complemented by an extended license period of an additional year. This extended license means that after serving the initial term, Powell will remain under supervision for a further year to monitor his conduct and prevent any potential reoffending.

In addition to his prison sentence, Powell has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, a measure designed to ensure ongoing public safety and facilitate monitoring. He has also been subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which imposes restrictions on his activities and movements to mitigate any risk of further harm to the community.

Powell faced charges encompassing seven separate offences, all of which he denied during the trial. However, after a six-day trial that concluded on 11 November of the previous year, the jury found him guilty of all counts. The charges included the rape of a girl under the age of 13, attempted rape of a girl under 13, assault involving penetration of a child under 13, three counts of sexual assault against a child under 13, and inciting or encouraging a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The victim in this case was a girl aged between 10 and 11 years old, and the offences spanned a period of approximately two years during the 2010s. The crimes were committed solely against her, and the impact on her has been described as profoundly traumatic.

Detective Constable Kim Shrubsall expressed her condemnation of Powell’s actions, describing them as “truly abhorrent” and emphasizing the damage inflicted upon the victim’s childhood. She stated, “He has now received a significant prison term, and this reflects the severity of his offending. I want to pay tribute to the victim for her bravery in working with us to secure his conviction. The trauma and psychological harm he has caused her are substantial, but I hope now she can begin the process of rebuilding her life.”