A 46-year-old man from Eastbourne has been sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court after subjecting a woman to years of rape, physical violence, strangulation, and psychological torment.
Richard Bennett, of Lower Willingdon, Eastbourne, appeared for sentence on 18 September 2026 following an extensive safeguarding and criminal investigation led by Sussex Police.
The court was told that the victim made a formal disclosure to officers on 5 February, describing an escalating regime of fear and violence. Over several years, Bennett repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted the victim, choked her through non-fatal strangulation, and inflicted physical assaults and explicit threats to kill.
To prevent the victim from reporting the crimes or contacting support services, Bennett engaged in manipulative controlling behaviour, repeatedly lying that he acted as an undercover “police informant” to convince her that authorities would protect him rather than assist her. Despite being petrified, the survivor built up the courage to break away from him and seek police intervention.
Following the report, specialist public protection officers implemented immediate safeguarding measures for the survivor. Bennett subsequently handed himself in at a police station on 11 February and was formally charged on 12 February with rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), coercive and controlling behaviour, and non-fatal strangulation, remaining remanded in custody.
Bennett entered not guilty pleas, but on 11 August 2026, a jury at Lewes Crown Court found him guilty of all charges on the indictment.
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 and Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, all victims and complainants connected to sexual offence proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, workplaces, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Bennett stood convicted of:
Rape
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Coercive and controlling behaviour
Non-fatal strangulation
Passing sentence on 18 September 2026, the Crown Court judge handed Bennett an immediate custodial term of 18 years’ imprisonment.
Alongside the custodial sentence, the court ordered:
Mandatory lifetime notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
An indefinite restraining order barring any direct or indirect contact with the survivor
Strict statutory post-custodial licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from prison
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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