Ex-farmworker jailed for nine years

8:00am Monday 13th October 2008

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A FORMER Herefordshire farmworker who sexually abused children in the 1970s has been jailed for nine years.

Robin Bennett said he committed the offences out of his love for the children.

He admitted various charges of indecent assault and one of attempted rape.

Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Geddes said Bennett, who is now 54 and lives in Malvern Road, Bringsty, had used the children for his own sexual gratification.

Worcester Crown Court heard how Bennett targeted two boys and two girls for repeated abuse that he began when he was 16.

Andrew Tucker, prosecuting, said Bennett was arrested in April this year after one of his victims confided in a family member.

Mr Tucker said Bennett told police he carried out the abuse out of his love for the children.

Abigail Nixon, defending, said Bennett had been abused as a child but had stayed out of trouble in the 30 years after the offences he admitted.

The “respectable, loving man” was frank with police when questioned, she said.

Bennett was sentenced to six years for attempted rape, and a total of three consecutive years on the indecent assault charges.

He will stay on the sex offenders register indefinitely and is banned from working with children for life.