Police described him as a ‘sadistic and paedophilic man’
A prolific and “sadistic” sexual predator who targeted young girls during a series of “disgusting” offences landed himself in prison after a shocking incident of voyeurism was reported to the police. The shameless sexually-motivated behaviour led to other disturbing offences coming to light during an investigation, Hull Crown Court heard.
Benjamin Briggs, 40, of no fixed address, but from the Hull area and recently in custody on remand, admitted four offences of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration. He also admitted sexually assaulting a girl aged between 13 and 16.
Briggs admitted two offences of observing, for his own sexual gratification, a person doing a private act. He also admitted another offence of operating a mobile phone underneath the clothes of another person, with the intention of looking at their underwear or private parts, without consent in Hull on June 15 this year.
Briggs was jailed for ten years and he will be on extended licence of one year after his release from prison. He was branded an offender of particular concern.
He was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order. He will have to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
After the court hearing, Humberside Police said that police launched an investigation into Briggs after a report of a voyeurism incident in June. During the investigation, police received further reports of non-recent child sexual offences as well as another separate incident of voyeurism, naming Briggs as being responsible.
A wider investigation was launched after this information came to light and an earlier sexual offences case, involving a child, was reopened. Briggs was arrested in October and he was interviewed about all three matters.
He claimed that he had no recollection of any of the offences and he denied any sexual interest in children.
All three victims provided evidence and Briggs was later remanded in custody. He later pleaded guilty.
Detective Constable Adam Shaw, of the Police’s protecting vulnerable people unit, said: “Briggs is a sadistic and paedophilic man who subjected three innocent children to what can only be described as repeated sickening abuse to fulfil his sexual desires.
“Briggs demonstrated a pattern of disgusting behaviour which will not be tolerated in society. I hope this sentence sends the message that we take reports of this nature incredibly seriously and will take action to seek justice for those who have suffered at the hands of predators.”