GENE BENJAMIN, SERIAL RAPIST FROM BOURNEMOUTH, DIES IN YORKSHIRE PRISON
A known serial rapist who kept his victims captive for extended periods has died in custody, it has been confirmed.Gene Benjamin, who imprisoned women and subdued them with strangulation before assaulting them repeatedly, was sentenced in 2011.
He targeted women across Bournemouth over a span of six years, with one victim six months pregnant and another attacked with a claw hammer.
Several victims were threatened with knives and an axe.
Previously residing on Belle Vue Road in Southbourne, Benjamin was convicted of seven counts of rape, one count of wounding, and eight counts of assault causing actual bodily harm following an eight-week trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.
Judge Samuel Wiggs sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 11 years.
Due to the time he had already served, Benjamin became eligible for parole last year, but on his first hearing before the Parole Board, his release was denied.
It has now been confirmed that Gene Benjamin, also known as Barry, died at the age of 64 in HMP Wakefield in Yorkshire last month.
A Prison Service spokesperson stated: "HMP Wakefield prisoner Gene Benjamin died on February 11.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been informed." Benjamin’s crimes took place between January 2004 and February 2010.
He was convicted after an eight-week trial.
Most of his victims were women working as prostitutes in Bournemouth, aged between 18 and 40 years old.
The assaults occurred at 15 different locations.
His ability to evade justice for years was largely due to his victims’ fear of coming forward.
Judge Wiggs commented on Benjamin’s crimes, saying: "You preyed on the prostitutes of Bournemouth.
You were in their community and used intimidation and violence on them." At the time of sentencing, Detective Sergeant Lindsay Dudfield, who led the case, expressed satisfaction with the sentence.
She stated: "I am pleased with the sentence.
Gene Benjamin is an incredibly dangerous man, and this ensures the safety of Dorset residents.
I also commend the bravery of the women who gave evidence." It is also confirmed that Benjamin was refused parole last year after serving his minimum term.
A Parole Board panel decided that his release was not appropriate due to ongoing risks.
The board found that Benjamin's history of violence and weapon use, along with his preference for violent and controlling sexual behavior, posed significant concerns.
The panel reviewed his release plan, but concluded it was insufficiently robust to manage him safely in the community at that time, citing unresolved risk factors.
The board noted that Benjamin’s attitudes supported sexual violence and that his offending demonstrated a disregard for the impact on his victims.
As a result, he remains detained, and his safety, as well as that of potential future victims, remains a priority.
