GILBERT BENN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN PETERBOROUGH

In a case that has shocked the community of Peterborough, Gilbert Benn, a former city councillor, was sentenced to a five-year prison term last night after being found guilty of heinous crimes involving an 11-year-old boy. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse that spanned over a year and culminated in two attempted rapes during a single night in the summer of 2006.

Gilbert Benn, aged 48, who previously served as a Labour Party councillor representing the Paston ward from 1982 to 1986, was taken into custody and brought before Peterborough Crown Court to face justice. The jury convicted him after a seven-day trial held in September, where evidence was presented of two attempted rapes, five counts of sexual assault, and four counts of witness intimidation. The court heard that Benn had forcibly made the young boy lie naked next to him and had inappropriately touched him over a prolonged period, starting in 2005.

The assaults were not isolated incidents but part of a series of abusive acts that the victim endured over 18 months. The court also learned that Benn attempted to obstruct the investigation by intimidating the boy’s mother, making threats against her life, including a chilling warning that he would send a hitman to harm her. When detectives began their inquiries, Benn made a vain effort to derail the case by threatening the victim’s mother and attempting to silence her from cooperating with authorities.

Judge Sean Enright, presiding over the case, sentenced Benn to five years in prison and imposed a lifelong ban on him working with children. In his remarks, the judge described Benn’s actions as a “gross breach of trust,” emphasizing the severity of the crimes and their impact on the victim and his family. The judge also highlighted Benn’s attempts to intimidate witnesses and obstruct justice, which compounded the seriousness of his offenses.

Throughout the court proceedings, Benn maintained his composure, dressed in a dark blazer, grey jumper, and striped open-necked shirt. His supporters, including his 89-year-old mother, who is disabled and has a history of strokes, appeared visibly distressed as he was led away to begin his sentence. Benn’s defense lawyer, Michael Magee, appealed for leniency, citing Benn’s previous good character and his role in caring for his elderly mother. Magee argued that Benn’s imprisonment would deprive his mother of vital support, given her limited mobility and health issues.

Ultimately, the court’s decision reflects the gravity of Benn’s crimes and the community’s need for justice and protection from individuals who abuse their positions of trust to commit such heinous acts.