Man Jailed for 28 Years for Indecent Assault and Rape

Marcus Benson, 53, from Raglan Close, Aldershot, has been sentenced to 28 years in prison after being convicted of indecent assault and rape at Winchester Crown Court.

The offenses took place against three girls between 1993 and 2004. Benson had denied four counts of indecent assault against two girls and three counts of rape against two girls. Two of the indecent assault charges and one of the rape charges were multiple count offenses.

Benson was convicted on all seven counts following a three-and-a-half week trial in November. He was sentenced today (Friday 14 January).

Detective Constable Michelle Carrig, from Operation Amberstone North, said: "I cannot underestimate the trauma that all three victims have suffered because of what Benson did to them. I hope today's sentence has provided the victims with some element of closure, knowing that Benson has been jailed for a very long time for the harrowing crimes he committed against them."

Carrig continued, "I would like to praise the victims for showing courage by coming forward to report these offences to the police. I would like to encourage any other victims, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, or if they know someone who has been impacted by sexual abuse, to contact police on 101. We take offenses of this nature extremely seriously and victims can speak with our specialist officers with confidence."