The Offender Database reported that a paedophile, Benedict Everett from Penzance, bought jewellery and gifts for a girl to seduce her “and make her feel better about herself”, a court heard. Benedict Everett, 49, committed acts of gross indecency on a girl under the age of 16.
Appearing before Truro Crown Court for sentencing today (Thursday, August 8), having pleaded guilty to two counts of gross indecency on a minor and two other charges of indecent assault on a minor, the court heard how the former band member took advantage of the girl in the Penzance area over two decades ago.
The court was told it was many years later that his victim was strong enough to come forward. As a result, Benedict Everett was arrested in 2021 and made a full confession to the police regarding his crimes.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Benedict Everett’s victim said the indecent assault had led her to blame herself for many years, had ruined her life and had shocked her family to the core once she was able to tell them. She said she hoped his sentencing would finally give her a sense of closure, so she could expect to lead an ordinary life.
In defending, a friend of the paedophile’s, Robin Smith, said Benedict Everett had been candid about his crimes and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, adding: “He’s realistic about his fate. It’s a question of how long, not whether, he will go to prison. He has closed his business and transferred his financial affairs to his family members.”
His Honour Judge Simon Carr said Benedict Everett, a music teacher who lives near Penzance, had an entrenched sexual interest in children and tried to make his victim feel good about herself and bought her gifts to seduce her and sexually assault her.
Judge Carr said the abuse had been sustained, adding, “Let me make this very clear. Your victim is entirely blameless. You were the adult; she was the child. The effect this has had on your victim has been significant and will no doubt be lifelong. She will carry this for the rest of her life.”
Benedict Everett was sentenced to seven years in prison and will be on the sex offender register for life.
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