COLCHESTER MAN CONNOR BENSON JAILED FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS
A violent individual who persecuted his former partner and arrived at her residence armed with a knife has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison.Connor Benson, aged 27, ignored a restraining order intended to safeguard the woman when he attempted to force entry into her home on Brinkley Lane, Colchester, in February.
The court was told that Benson, who was serving two separate suspended sentences at the time, provided a false name during his arrest by police.
He was later discovered with a pink-handled lock knife tucked inside his jacket pocket, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Hector MacLean-Watt stated that Benson became aggressive when officers attempted to apprehend him, headbutting one of the officers.
While in a cell at Colchester police station, Benson continued to assault by hitting his head against the wall and kicking a police officer’s shins when authorities tried to intervene.
He also refused to give a sample for testing for Class A drugs.
Benson, of Walnut Tree Way, Tiptree, pleaded guilty to two counts of attacking emergency personnel, as well as possessing a knife in a public place and breaching a restraining order.
He also admitted to violating two suspended sentences previously imposed for offenses involving the same woman.
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He stated: “The defendant is still relatively young.
It appears that the probation service may have overlooked potential neurodiversity issues—it's notable that he has not undergone any assessment for this.” He added: “He has never engaged well with probation services, a situation worsened by long periods of homelessness.” Judge Richard Kelly imposed a 19-month suspended sentence and added ten months for the two counts of assault on emergency workers.
The judge then extended the sentence by six months for Benson’s breach of the restraining order.
Currently appearing via video link from HMP Chelmsford, where he has been remanded for three months, Benson will be eligible for release after serving 40% of his sentence.
