A Cardiff Paedophile Sarah Bennett burdened by shame and guilt contacted the police and admitted to sexually abusing two young girls during her twenties. She persistently committed indecent assaults against one of the girls, at one instance exploiting her after being stimulated by a rape scenario in a film.
Sarah Bennett, aged 50, from Cardiff, reported her sexual offences to the authorities in 2021, following her cessation of alcohol consumption and her embrace of religion. The police reached her victim, who consented to file charges, although the second girl involved declined to do so.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the abuse began when the victim was just 12-years-old. The defendant groomed her by giving her cider and giving her money. The victim developed a crush on her and Sarah Bennett told her she had feelings for her.
Prosecutor Ruth Smith heard the first incident of sexual abuse began when Sarah Bennett kissed the victim’s hand and mouth. She would often “cwtsh” the victim, who described herself as “needy for affection”. There was regular kissing and the defendant would “thrust” herself onto the victim.
The abuse escalated to Sarah Bennett taking off the victim’s shorts before sexually abusing her. Ms Smith said the victim “didn’t really know what she was doing”. Afterwards, Bennett told the victim not to tell anyone about what had taken place or they wouldn’t be able to see each other. Even though she didn’t enjoy what was happening, the victim said the idea of not seeing the defendant made her “sad”.
On another occasion, Sarah Bennett touched the victim’s breasts before pulling her tights down before touching her privates.. The victim described herself feeling “stupid” and the actions of the defendant as “forceful and painful”. This happened on another occasion, causing the victim to bleed and she had her first period not long afterwards.
The victim said the abuse carried on at “every time the opportunity presented itself”. Bennett gave the victim pints of cider and was “rough” with her. She was also verbally abusive towards the victim, calling her a “slag”. The victim described herself as “isolated” and “just wanted to die”. She wanted the abuse to stop but felt conflicted as Sarah Bennett made her “feel special”. Ms Smith said the victim began to cut herself with a piece of broken mirror and described her stomach “knotting up” when Bennett was verbally abusive.
On another occasion, Sarah Bennett and the victim were watching a film when the defendant became sexually aroused by a rape scene. She threw the victim onto the ground and sexually assaulted her. The abuse continued for a number of years, the victim describing herself as “scared and frightened” when the defendant was in drink, and she began drinking regularly herself. When the victim made new friends, Sarah Bennett grabbed her by throat and smashed up her belongings.
The victim said she later realised Sarah Bennett had been “controlling” and realised “how wrong” the abuse had been. She later told police: “It wasn’t a caring loving relationship. It was a very controlling relationship. She had a hold on me for a long time. I didn’t see my family for years and didn’t have any confidence in myself or self esteem. I suffer with anxiety which affects me and bothers me.”
Matters came to ahead in 2021 when Sarah Bennett contacted the police and disclosed the abuse of two girls, including the victim. She said she felt “terrible” and needed to confess. She also described herself as a “different person” after giving up alcohol. When police arrived at her home to arrest her, she left a note.
It read: “Dear Sir/Madam, I confess when I was in my 20s I had a relationship with two teenage girls….. I have hated myself with a passion for year. It seems like a different person or lifetime. The shame and guilt remains within. I am truly sorry.”
Sarah Bennett, of Pen y Bryn Way, Gabalfa, later pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault of a child. The court heard she was of previous good character. In mitigation, Adam Sharp said the matters would not have come to light had she not confessed to the police, having been “riddled with guilt” and wishing to atone.
He said the defendant was from a “traditional and religious family” but suffered trauma in her childhood and left the family home before going on to work as an auxiliary nurse and a delivery driver. He said was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and had been clean from alcohol for eight years.
Sentencing, Judge Lucy Crowther said: “You have overcome serious illness and overcome addiction and reconciled with your mother. You did what many wouldn’t do. You had the courage to ring the police and tell them something that was not previously known. I accept you are overwhelmed with remorse for what you have done.”
Sarah Bennett was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment. She was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements and a restraining order indefinitely, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years.
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