By Grâçia Ada Obi
A paedophile has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of raping a child and other sexual offences. Kevin Benham, 67, of Cornboorough Road, Westward Ho!, was convicted of five counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault on two child victims following a trial in January, when he was remanded into custody.
He was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court, United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday, March 18. Detective Sergeant Sacha Lewis, who supported the investigation said: “The victims in this case felt able to come forward and report these non-recent rapes and sexual assaults to police in 2022 and in their Victim Personal Statements, which were read out at Exeter Crown Court today, have described the impact of Benham’s offending against them.
“Both victims shared how they found it difficult to trust people and form personal relationships due to what had been done to them when they were young girls and how this continues to impact on them to this day, many years later. Both victims have exhibited great bravery and resilience in not only reporting this matter but in how they have dealt with the subsequent investigation and trial.
“Devon & Cornwall Police continue to stand with victims of such offences and hope that this gives courage to others who may have suffered such abuse to come forward and have their voices heard. Time is no barrier to justice.”
