PHILIP BENTHAM OF 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, was spared immediate imprisonment after 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, remained largely concealed from the girl’s family until her father uncovered disturbing evidence on her mobile phone.

According to court records, Bentham, who was 19 at the time the relationship began, admitted to six charges of sexual activity with the underage girl. These acts took place until just one month before her 16th birthday in March of this year. The court heard that although the pair engaged in sexual activities, they never progressed to full intercourse. Additionally, Bentham admitted to taking semi-naked photographs of the girl while she was still under 16, further compounding the seriousness of his actions. He also faced a charge for kissing a 12-year-old girl on an unspecified date, adding to the gravity of his offenses.

Judge Peter Ross addressed Bentham directly during the sentencing, stating that he believed the offender deserved a prison sentence of two years. However, considering the lack of prospects for rehabilitation while incarcerated, the judge opted for a different course of action. Bentham was ordered to participate in a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program for a period of three years. Furthermore, he was prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 16 and was mandated to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.

The court proceedings revealed that Bentham and the girl first met at a church camp in Wales back in 2005. The girl’s father grew increasingly suspicious of their relationship, especially since she habitually deleted her text messages. His suspicions were confirmed in 2007 when he discovered a message from Bentham on her phone that read, “I love you.”

The situation escalated in April of this year when the father found provocative photographs of his daughter on her mobile device, prompting him to report the matter to the police. The images depicted her in suggestive poses, raising alarm and concern for her safety.

During the court hearing, Graeme Simpson, representing Bentham, argued that his client and the girl were “genuinely in love” and claimed that Bentham exercised self-control throughout their relationship. He also pointed out that the prosecution’s case was significantly based on the admissions Bentham made, implying that without his confessions, the case might have been more difficult to pursue. The court’s decision reflects a complex balance between the severity of the offenses and considerations of rehabilitation and public safety.