ABERTILLERY SEXUAL PREDATOR JASON BENGER CAUGHT BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS IN GWENT

In March 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving Jason Benger, a 48-year-old man from Six Bells, Abertillery, who was ultimately convicted of engaging in online predatory behavior targeting young girls. Benger’s actions came to light after he was lured into a trap set by a vigilant group of paedophile hunters known as The Hunted One, who operate under the premise of protecting children from online exploitation.

According to court proceedings, Benger initiated contact with three separate online profiles, each purportedly representing girls aged 11, 12, and 14. These profiles were, in fact, fake accounts created by the hunters, who used fictitious photos and identities to lure potential predators. Benger quickly escalated the conversations, steering them towards explicit and sexual content, which included him sending explicit images of himself and requesting similar images from the girls.

Throughout the exchanges, Benger made it clear he was seeking to engage in sexual activities with minors. He sent photographs of his erect penis and repeatedly asked the girls to send him explicit images in return. The court heard that he even suggested meeting the girls in person, proposing to meet in Cardiff, which is near Abertillery, and discussing arrangements such as staying in a bed and breakfast. Benger also asked one girl, 'Jessie,' who claimed to be 12, to bring a friend aged 11, and made lewd comments about sexual acts.

One of the messages read aloud in court revealed Benger asking, 'Have you ever done it with girls my age before?' to which the girl responded, 'Yes, she was 15 and loved it.' The prosecution detailed that Benger contacted 'Jessie' almost daily, sending her explicit images and asking for more. He also claimed to have had sexual encounters with a 15-year-old in the past.

Similar conversations were held with two other profiles, 'Jenna,' aged 14, and 'Jodie,' aged 11. All interactions involved Benger sending sexual images of himself and making inappropriate requests. His predatory behavior was uncovered when members of The Hunted One confronted him at his residence in Abertillery, Gwent, on December 3 of the previous year. The group then contacted the police, leading to his arrest.

Following his arrest, Benger was charged and pleaded guilty to six counts of attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. During the court hearing at Newport Crown Court, Judge Daniel Williams described the evidence as 'utterly overwhelming' and emphasized that Benger posed a significant danger to young girls. The judge sentenced him to two and a half years in prison, reflecting the severity of his actions and the threat he represented to the safety of children in the community.