DAVID BENNETT SENTENCED IN PRESTON FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN LANCASHIRE

David Bennett, a registered sex offender from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, recorded his sexual assaults on his phone, with the victim later having no memory of the incidents. The events began in May of the previous year when Bennett and the woman had shared drinks at her home after initially agreeing to go on a date. They then briefly visited a friend’s house before returning to her residence.

Subsequently, the woman was unable to remember what happened next. While she was asleep and unresponsive, Bennett sexually assaulted her. Following the incident, Bennett repeatedly attempted to contact her through calls and texts over the next few days.

Concerned by his unusual behaviour, including persistent messaging and searching his name online—where she found news articles relating to Bennett’s prior offending—she contacted Lancashire Police. An investigation was launched, and Bennett was arrested. During the arrest, officers seized his phone and discovered videos showing him sexually assaulting the woman while she was unresponsive and not moving.

On Monday, 13th January, Bennett, aged 40, of Blythewood, Skelmersdale, appeared at Preston Crown Court for sentencing. A jury had previously found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault following a trial.

The judge sentenced Bennett to a total of ten years, consisting of five years in prison plus an extended five-year licence period. He also imposed an indefinite restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order to protect the victim further.

Detective Constable Chris Wilding of Lancashire Police's South Division Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team commented, “David Bennett is a dangerous offender and I welcome the lengthy prison sentence which the judge passed.” He added, “He committed abhorrent offences against his victim who was unable to defend herself. We take all offences of a sexual nature very seriously and will investigate them thoroughly so that offenders can be brought to justice.”