Paul Benstock 62

Description

A man has been convicted of more than 40 offences committed against five victims following a Leeds Safeguarding investigation.

Paul Benstock, 62, was found guilty yesterday (16 July) following a trial at Leeds Crown Court of a number of sexual offences and physical assaults against both adult and child victims, including 14 counts of rape. These offences took place between 1998 and 2020, when one of the victims came forward to the police.

Benstock, of Appletree Court, East Ardsley, was also identified as being involved in the making of indecent images of children following an operation by the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) and was also found guilty of these offences.

He has been remanded in custody to appear again at Leeds Crown Court on 14  August for sentencing.

Detective Sergeant Michelle Barnes, of Leeds Safeguarding Unit, said:

“We had one victim come forward to us to reporting that they had been the victim of offences at the hands of Benstock. As a result of our enquiries, we identified four other victims who then also had the courage to detail the crimes they had been subjected to.

“Much of Benstock’s offending was against victims who were children at the time. His victims have shown incredible bravery in giving us detailed accounts of what has taken place and then again supporting the trial process by giving evidence when Benstock refused to take accountability for his awful crimes.

“Benstock is yet to be sentenced and I know that that date will be another significant milestone in the journey that his victims have been through, but I do hope that today having got these verdicts that it brings them some comfort knowing that they were believed.

“I do not underestimate how hard it is to take that step to report physical or sexual offences to the police but if you have been a victim, please reach out for help and support when you are ready.”