SHAWN BENNETT FROM SMETHWICK SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS FOR RAPES IN REDDITCH AND RUBERY

In June 2019, a man named Shawn Bennett, aged 29 and residing on Gilbert Road in Smethwick, was handed a severe prison sentence following a series of heinous sexual offenses committed in the areas of Redditch and Rubery. The case, heard at Worcester Crown Court, revealed a disturbing pattern of violence and predatory behavior that spanned a single day, leaving multiple victims traumatized and in fear for their safety.

Shawn Bennett was found unanimously guilty by the jury on multiple counts, including two counts of rape—one involving a girl under the age of 16—and eight additional sexual offense charges. The court also convicted him of two counts of assault, theft, and a threat to kill, illustrating the extent of his violent and predatory conduct during the series of incidents.

The first assault occurred on the afternoon of Monday, October 22, 2018, when Bennett entered a woman’s residence in Redditch. Armed with a knife, he held her at knifepoint, assaulted her physically, and raped her. The attack was brutal, leaving the victim with injuries across her face and body. Witnesses in the neighborhood saw her being dragged back into her flat, and it was only through the intervention of neighbors that the prolonged assault was halted.

Later that same afternoon, Bennett targeted a 14-year-old girl who was leaving a bus stop in Redditch. He followed her, pulled her into nearby bushes, and subjected her to assault and rape. During this attack, Bennett also made threats to kill her and harm her family if she disclosed what had happened. The court described chilling footage showing Bennett following her off the bus, and it was noted that only seconds after he disappeared from the bus camera’s view, he had grabbed her by the hair and pulled her into a secluded wooded area to carry out the assault.

In the evening, Bennett traveled to Rubery, where he approached two other young women. He made inappropriate suggestions and attempted to drag both into the undergrowth. Fortunately, the women managed to raise the alarm, and their shouts for help prompted Bennett to flee the scene. The court found that Bennett’s actions indicated a clear intent to commit penetrative sexual assaults on these victims as well.

Officers apprehended Bennett at the scene of the final attack. The evidence presented during the trial highlighted that Bennett was aware of forensic procedures, as he carried condoms, suggesting premeditation and planning. The judge, Nicolas Cartwright, described Bennett’s conduct as that of a dangerous individual, justifying the extended sentence.

Judge Cartwright sentenced Bennett to 24 years in prison, with an additional six years added due to the dangerous nature of his offenses. The court ruled that Bennett would only be eligible for parole after serving at least 16 years, with the possibility of release after 24 years on license. The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, noting that Bennett’s first victim was assaulted in her flat with a knife, and her injuries were extensive. The attack was only stopped thanks to neighbors’ intervention.

Regarding the second victim, the judge highlighted the chilling nature of the attack, with Bennett following her from the bus and pulling her into a secluded area to commit the rape. The threats Bennett made to her and her family underscored the brutality of his actions. The court categorized the rapes as category 1A offenses, reflecting their seriousness and the lasting impact on the victims. The judge also pointed out Bennett’s prior conviction for a sexual offense, the use of a weapon, and his intoxicated state during the offenses as aggravating factors.

In conclusion, the court condemned Bennett’s actions, emphasizing the trauma inflicted on the victims and the need for a lengthy custodial sentence to protect the public from such dangerous behavior. Bennett’s case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of justice for victims of sexual violence and the consequences faced by those who commit such heinous acts.