PHILIP BENTHAM FROM ALLESLEY COVENTRY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH TEENAGE GIRL

In a case that has drawn significant attention in Coventry, Philip Bentham, a 23-year-old man from Allesley Croft in Allesley, Coventry, has been spared immediate imprisonment despite admitting to engaging in a sexual relationship with a girl who was only 13 years old at the time. The incident, which spanned over three years, was only uncovered after the girl’s father discovered explicit photographs on her mobile phone, leading to a police investigation.

According to court records, Bentham, who was 19 when the relationship began, admitted to six charges of sexual activity with the girl, which took place until just one month before her 16th birthday in March of this year. The court heard that although the pair engaged in a romantic relationship, they never had full sexual intercourse. Additionally, Bentham admitted to taking semi-naked photographs of the girl while she was under the age of 16, as well as a separate charge of kissing a 12-year-old girl on an unspecified date.

Judge Peter Ross, presiding over the case at Coventry Crown Court, acknowledged that Bentham deserved to serve a prison sentence of two years. However, considering the lack of prospects for rehabilitation while incarcerated, the judge opted for a different approach. Instead of jail time, Bentham was ordered to participate in a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program for three years. Furthermore, he was prohibited from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16 and was mandated to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years.

The court revealed that Bentham first met the girl at a church camp held in Wales in 2005. The girl’s father grew increasingly suspicious of their relationship, especially since she habitually deleted her text messages. His suspicions were confirmed when, in 2007, he found a message from Bentham stating “I love you.” The situation escalated in April of this year when the father discovered provocative photographs of his daughter on her mobile phone, prompting him to report the matter to the police.

During the hearing, Graeme Simpson, representing Bentham, argued that the relationship was based on genuine love and that Bentham and the girl exercised self-control throughout their affair. Simpson emphasized that the prosecution’s case was largely built on Bentham’s admissions, which he did not deny. He described Bentham as a “thoroughly decent member of society,” highlighting his good GCSE results and promising employment prospects, including his work for Severn Trent in Finham.

Ultimately, the court’s decision reflected a balance between accountability and the potential for rehabilitation, with Bentham being spared immediate jail time but subjected to strict conditions and registration requirements.