SAMANTHA BENNETT SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN WALLASEY: GROOMING TEENAGE GIRL

Samantha Bennett, a 39-year-old woman residing on Stringhey Road in Wallasey, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of serious sexual offences involving a teenage girl. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of grooming that spanned several years during the 2010s, beginning when the victim was only 13 years old. Bennett, who is a mother of seven children—four of whom are under the age of 18 and have diagnoses of neurodivergence—used a calculated approach to manipulate and exploit her young victim.

Throughout the grooming process, Bennett employed a variety of gifts and material incentives to establish a false sense of closeness and trust. These included an iPad, a puppy, multiple mobile phones, and substantial sums of money. Such gestures were used to create an illusion of a normal, affectionate relationship, which ultimately served to entrap the girl. Court documents detailed how Bennett communicated with the victim through messages that conveyed a personal and romantic tone, with texts such as, "You know if you love me. You know if you like being with me" and "Happy Valentine's Day babe. Love and miss you loads. Hope we sort things out."

It was also revealed that Bennett forced the girl into acts that no child should ever be subjected to, effectively stealing her childhood and innocence. The victim later described her emotional state, stating, "It took me many years to realise that what happened to me was abuse. It took away my confidence and trust, and I now hate who I’ve become." The court heard that Bennett’s actions caused lasting damage to the victim’s mental health and well-being.

In her trial, Bennett was found guilty of six sexual offences, including engaging in sexual activity with a minor. She was subsequently sentenced to five and a half years in prison. Judge Gary Woodhall emphasized the severity of her grooming behavior, highlighting her use of expensive gifts that her victim’s family could not afford and her lack of remorse. The judge remarked, "You bought her expensive gifts which her family could not afford... She was too young to understand why this was wrong and illegal."

During the court proceedings, Bennett appeared using mobility aids but showed no remorse for her actions. She continues to deny the charges against her. Her conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of grooming and the exploitation of minors, underscoring the importance of vigilance and protective measures in safeguarding vulnerable children in communities like Wallasey.