Paedophile, 62, who raped and assaulted multiple children keeping one as ‘sexual slave’ jailed for 37 years

A VILE paedophile who raped and assaulted multiple children, keeping one as a “sexual slave” has now begun a 37-year prison sentence. Paul Benstock, 62, was found guilty following his trial in July at Leeds Crown Court of more than 40 sickening offences dating back over decades. Paul Benstock’s youngest victim was just nine years old Credit: West Yorkshire Police These included rape, sexual assault and physical assaults. During his trial, the jury heard that Benstock used fear, violence, intimidation and humiliation to keep his victims silent. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Judge Neil Clark said he had committed the “most unpleasant sexual offending that can be imagined” and treated one victim as his “sexual slave”. He said: “You ruined their lives by using and threatening extreme violence.” Benstock, of East Ardsley, West Yorkshire, showed no emotion as he was hit with an extended 37-year jail sentence with the judge finding him to be a dangerous offender. Prosecutor Kitty Colley read out heartbreaking statements written by his victims to the court. One victim said he still “wakes up fighting” Benstock and hasn’t gotten over his ordeal. He added that he had turned to drugs and alcohol in order to “numb the pain”. Most read in The Sun A female victim said: “You not only stole my childhood, you stole my adult life too. “I have nightmares so often it’s just better and easier to stay awake. “I have completely lost myself. “You are a monster who used power and control to take what you wanted. “I carry so much shame around every day. It’s not mine, it’s yours. “I will never forgive you for putting me through the court process. “You have never taken any accountability.” Benstock’s abuse dated back to the 1990s, the court was told. It was only after his last victim came forward and spoke out that others then followed. His youngest victim was aged just nine and he would then threaten them into staying silent. As well as sexually abusing youngsters, he would also attack them with weapons in ways Judge Clark said were “ghastly”. After his arrest, it was discovered he has been searching out child abuse images online just the day before. He was given a 30-year custodial sentence, with a seven-year extended licence period. Benstock was put on the sex offenders registry for life. Detective Sergeant Michelle Barnes, of Leeds Safeguarding Unit, said previously: “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.”