PORTHCAWL: Man who ran into the sea to escape arrest is jailed for sexual offences

A Porthcawl man who ran into the sea at night to escape arrest has been jailed for three years and eight months for sexual offences.

Officers were called to Porthcawl seafront at around 9.45pm on 22 October last year, to a report of a man who had been sending inappropriate messages to a girl he believed to be under 16, South Wales Police said.

When they arrived, Gavin Bennett ran into the sea. Officers went in after him in darkness, despite the risk of currents, to make sure he came to no harm, the force said.

Bennett was brought safely to shore, detained and taken to hospital for checks before being returned to custody.

He was charged with two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court within three days of the incident.

On Monday (1 September), Bennett, 45, of Porthcawl, was sentenced to three years and eight months.

He was also sentenced for two counts of sexually assaulting a female, in a case first reported to police in August 2023.

The victim had disclosed that Bennett sexually assaulted her numerous times over a two-year period, the force said.

Bennett was also handed a sexual harm prevention order lasting 10 years.

Detective Sergeant Natasha O’Rourke thanked the victim for coming forward. “I would like to thank the victim in this case for coming forward and for being courageous throughout the process of this investigation,” she said.

“Because of her, we have been able to convict a man who is clearly a threat to young women. I can only hope that this helps her to move on from this in a more positive way and gain some form of closure.”

The investigating officer, Detective Constable Owain Hembury, said: “Bennett willingly looked to manipulate someone he believed to be under the age of 16 for his own sexual gratification, and I’m pleased to see him held accountable for his actions despite his attempt to evade arrest.”

The force has released footage showing Bennett in the water as officers went in after him. Sergeant Melissa Carpenter of the Bridgend response team said: “The bravery of these officers meant no harm came to Bennett, and the investigation was then able to be continued by CID colleagues who ensured Bennett was held accountable for his actions.”

Support is available for anyone affected by sexual abuse. New Pathways offers free specialist support across Wales, and children and young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111.