GAVIN BENIT SENTENCED FOR HOTEL RAPE IN COLWYN BAY AND CONWY COUNTY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Colwyn Bay and the wider Conwy county, Gavin Benit, a 36-year-old man with a troubling criminal history, has been sentenced to a significant prison term following his conviction for the heinous act of raping a 15-year-old girl. The incident took place at a hotel in Colwyn Bay, where Benit had arranged to meet the young victim under false pretenses, leading to a sexual assault that has left many residents appalled.

Benit's criminal record includes a previous conviction from 2008, when he was sentenced to four years in prison for engaging in sexual activities with a 13-year-old girl. Despite serving his earlier sentence, he continued to pose a serious threat to vulnerable minors, as evidenced by his latest actions. The recent case was brought before Caernarfon Crown Court, where the jury heard detailed evidence of how Benit had groomed the 15-year-old girl through a series of graphic and manipulative text messages, which clearly indicated his intentions to engage in sexual activity.

The court was told that the rape occurred at a hotel in Colwyn Bay, where Benit had been accommodated in a flat within the premises. The hotel, known as the Hotel Rothsay, typically restricts access beyond the foyer to visitors, but Benit had taken the girl into his flat, violating these rules and breaching the trust of the establishment. Prosecutor Sion ap Mihangel described Benit as a man with a disturbing preference for underage girls, emphasizing that the evidence seized by police, including the explicit messages, demonstrated his clear intent to have sex with the girl, despite her reluctance.

During the trial, Benit's defense argued that he had experienced a difficult upbringing, attempting to mitigate his culpability. However, Judge Merfyn Hughes QC was unequivocal in his sentencing, condemning Benit for targeting a vulnerable 15-year-old girl. The judge stated that Benit had viewed her as someone he could take into his hotel flat for sexual purposes, with or without her consent, highlighting the predatory nature of his actions.

As part of his sentence, Benit was sentenced to ten years in prison. Additionally, the court imposed a ten-year order restricting his access to the internet, aiming to prevent further offenses. The judge also mandated that Benit register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his future activities.

Commenting on the case, Detective Inspector Kelly Isaacs of North Wales Police's sexual offences team stated, "Benit preyed upon a 15-year-old child who was vulnerable because of her age. He also lied to her about his age and intentions, which makes his actions even more reprehensible." The case has once again raised concerns about the safety of minors and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior in communities like Colwyn Bay and across Conwy county.