Retired police officer, 69, who sexually abused five women and a girl over three decades is jailed for 28 years after telling his victims he was like ‘Teflon’ because complaints against him ‘wouldn’t stick’
- Former police officer Kevin Bentley, 69, sexually abused five women and a girl
- He claimed he was ‘Teflon’ because complaints against him ‘would not stick’
- Court heard how one victim in 2018 reported him, leading to an investigation
- He was convicted of 24 serious sexual and physical assaults at Durham Crown Court and was jailed for 28 years
Former police officer Kevin Bentley, 69, claimed he was ‘Teflon’ because his position of authority meant complaints against him by woman he had assaulted ‘would not stick’, a court heard.
A former police officer who sexually abused multiple women and then used his job as a ‘shield’ to protect himself from his victims has been jailed for 28 years.
Kevin Bentley claimed he was ‘Teflon’ because his position of authority meant complaints against him ‘would not stick’, it was heard.
But at Durham Crown Court he was dubbed ‘a sexual sadist’ as he was sentenced for shocking abuse on five women and a girl.
The now 69-year-old retired officer had tried to use his job with Durham Police as a form of ‘shield’ to prevent the victims reporting his actions, though none of the offences related to his work in the police, where he retired in 2006.
Sentencing him, at Durham Crown Court, Judge James Adkin said such was his ‘hubris’ after being aggressive to one of the women, he urged her to ring the police.
‘You described yourself as being “Teflon”, i.e. there was no point in complaining, it would not stick.’
But after one victim chose to report his actions to police in 2018, lengthy inquiries enabled investigators to uncover the full extent of his activities over the years.
He went on trial last month facing a total of 25 charges and was convicted of 24 serious sexual and physical assaults after an 11-day hearing.
Appearing at the sentencing hearing yesterday via video link from nearby Durham Prison, where he has been on remand since his conviction, he was told it is considered he poses ‘a significant risk’ of committing further sexual offences and assault against younger women.
Judge Adkin classed Bentley, who had worked for Durham Police, as ‘a dangerous offender’ and imposed an extended determinate sentence with a 28-year jail term to be followed by six years under licence supervision
Judge Adkin classed Bentley as ‘a dangerous offender’ and imposed an extended determinate sentence with a 28-year jail term to be followed by six years under licence supervision.
It means he must serve at least 18-and-a-half years in custody before he can be considered for parole.
Lifelong restraining orders prevent him from contacting or approaching any of his victims.
His conviction follows the painstaking three-year investigation by Durham Police, following the initial report of sexual assault.
Officers from Bishop Auckland Safeguarding Team traced five other victims, who all gave evidence at his trial.
Detective Constable David Hannan, who led the investigation, said: ‘Kevin Bentley repeatedly subjected his victims to horrific abuse and now faces many years in prison to reflect on the trail of damaged lives he has left behind.
‘Above all, our thoughts are with those women who were strong enough to give evidence to bring their abuser to justice after all this time and hopefully begin the process of moving forward with their lives.
‘I hope this conviction will reassure all survivors of abuse that, no matter who the perpetrator is and no matter what the circumstances may be, they can be confident that if they come forward we will listen, and we will investigate.’
Bentley retired as a constable in 2006 and none of his offences relate to his police job.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Cuthbert, head of the force’s Professional Standards Department, said: ‘While these offences were not related to Bentley’s role as a police officer, they do not reflect the high standards of Durham Constabulary, the standards exemplified by the diligent and dedicated officers who worked to bring him to justice.’
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