CRAIG BENNETT REPRIMANDED IN PRESTON FOR REPEATED SEXUAL OFFENCE DESPITE REGISTRATION

In March 2009, Craig Bennett, 45, a convicted paedophile, committed a heinous crime by raping a 12-year-old boy at the same location where he had attacked a victim 16 years earlier. Bennett was already on the Sex Offenders Register following his 1993 conviction for raping a boy in a field. Despite ongoing checks by police at his address, he managed to deceive authorities by providing false reasons for needing help.

According to Preston Crown Court, Bennett fabricated a story about a missing dog and approached a young boy, asking for assistance. He then lured the boy to the same field where he previously assaulted a victim, and launched a "depraved and disturbing attack." The young victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was playing outside and had left a friend to buy chocolate from a nearby shop. He observed two men in a car appearing to search for a dog, and a third man who was at a bus stop.

The boy explained, "I offered to help the man with his search, and later, he offered me £10 to continue looking." He was led to a wooded area in the field, but as darkness approached, he decided to leave. When he attempted to escape, Bennett ambushed him. Using the boy’s belt, Bennett tied his hands behind his back and then constricted his neck so tightly that the boy’s eyes hemorrhaged.

Bennett warned the boy, "Don’t bother running or shouting ‘cause you can shout and then you could be dead in two minutes." After the assault, Bennett smoked a cigarette and then left the scene. The victim, fearing for his life, managed to find a road and flag down a passing vehicle that took him home. He later recounted to the jury, "I always help to find animals and dogs that have run away. He didn’t mention the money until later. I was just looking for the dog."

He added, "I nearly got away. I ran to the fence, but he pulled me back. That’s when he strangled me. When I got the chance, I ran, but he caught me again and tied my hands behind my back. I felt scared. I thought I was never going to see my family again."

Prosecutor Tim Brennand described Bennett as a "highly dangerous and predatory paedophile," noting his calculated stalking of a vulnerable boy and the use of deception to isolate his victim. Brennand emphasized the brutality of the attack, stating, "Such was the ferocity of the assault that Bennett himself thought he might have murdered the boy."

He explained that the false story about a missing dog was a scheme to manipulate the victim, steering him away from public places to facilitate the assault without witnesses hearing his cries for help.

Police investigators identified Bennett after reviewing CCTV footage showing him entering a shop with the boy shortly before the assault. Recognizing him from the sex offenders’ register at the police station, officers tracked him down. Two months prior to the attack, police had conducted a search at Bennett’s home in Darwen, Lancashire, where he was registered due to a previous offence involving a 13-year-old boy. That earlier incident involved Bennett approaching the boy and discussing football before assaulting him.

After serving time in prison, Bennett evaded authorities when he fled his probation hostel in 2000. Known also as Craig Preece, Bennett faced charges of kidnapping, kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence, two counts of rape, and threats to kill. He now risks life imprisonment after his conviction.

Judge Pamela Badley acknowledged the difficulty of the case for the jury, describing it as a "very difficult" case to listen to. Lancashire Police’s Detective Sergeant Ian Procter commented, "These appalling offences were committed against a trusting and innocent young boy, who was led away under false pretenses. The subsequent sexual assault was wicked and cruel. The young victim has shown remarkable courage and resilience. He is now recovering, supported by his loving family."

Procter added, "Bennett is a dangerous, manipulative, shameless individual who poses a significant risk to children. I hope he remains in custody for a long time and is not released until he is no longer considered a threat."

The boy’s father shared how the traumatic experience has affected his son: "You would have had to have known him to see how different he is now. He doesn’t do many things he used to do. He won’t go outside to play anymore." Bennett, who married his gay partner in a civil ceremony, is scheduled for sentencing next month.