ÂCHURCHGOINGÂ PAEDOPHILE FROM CWMBRAN JAILED FOR 17 YEARS
A “CHURCHGOING” paedophile has been jailed for 17 years after sexually abusing a young girl and “inflicting immense pain” on her.Joshua Bennett, 32, from Cwmbran wore a large crucifix around his neck when he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentence this morning.
Judge Daniel Williams told him: “Your days of presenting yourself as a virtuous man are long gone.” On the day of his trial in July, the defendant admitted assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration, assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, and causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
In a victim impact statement, the girl told the court: “I continue to suffer in many ways.” She highlighted her mental health struggles and the sleepless nights she endures.
“He has inflicted immense pain and abuse,” she revealed.
The girl’s mother told the court her daughter had suffered “horrendous sexual abuse” and felt “broken” by what had happened.
Judge Williams said to Bennett: “You say you are a churchgoer and today it is conspicuous that you are wearing a large crucifix.
Your days of presenting yourself as a virtuous man are long gone.” The judge added: “In your pre-sentence report, you sought to minimise your behaviour and not take responsibility for your actions.
You deny feeling a sexual attraction to children – you pose a high risk of harm to children.” Bennett, of Tewdric Court, Croesyceiliog was made the subject of an extended sentence for the protection of the public.
The defendant was handed a prison term of 13 years and six months plus an extended licence period of four years.
His total sentence therefore was 17 years and six months.
Bennett will have to serve two-thirds of his 13 years and six months in jail before being eligible for parole.
He will have to register as a sex offender for life and pay a statutory victim surcharge when he is released.
Judge Williams praised the victim’s courage in coming forward.
