Benjamin English, previously known as Steven Watts, was a convicted paedophile who exploited his role as an Army Cadet leader to perpetrate sexual offences against young girls in County Durham. His criminal history began in 2007 when, at the age of approximately 41, he was investigated for sending suggestive text messages to girls as young as 13 under his charge at a Territorial Army centre.
In that incident, English urged one of the girls to send him topless photos and promised extra tuition in exchange for such images. He was caught after one girl's father discovered the inappropriate texts and contacted the police. English admitted to three offences of causing or inciting a girl under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity, resulting in a 12-month suspended sentence, sparing him immediate imprisonment.
Just a year later, in 2008, English subjected a young girl to a catalogue of sickening sexual abuse. After giving himself up to authorities, he confessed to police, stating, 'I just couldn’t stop it.' For these crimes, he received an indefinite custodial sentence and was later released.
His pattern of offending continued, and in 2013, English was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of raping a young girl on five separate occasions. Following this conviction, he changed his name by deed poll to Benjamin English, though this did not deter him from further criminal behaviour.
In 2022, one of the original victims from the 2007 case, who had endured years of trauma from the abuse and rape she suffered at English's hands, came forward with additional details. Despite the passage of time, she reported the full extent of the rape to authorities. English, then 58 years old and residing in Middlesbrough, denied the rape charge. However, a jury at Durham Crown Court found him guilty following a trial.
On Friday, as reported by The Northern Echo, English was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape. Safeguarding Detective Constable Graeme Whitfield, who led the investigation for Durham Constabulary, described English as 'a predator and a danger to children', highlighting the sickening abuse of trust that impacted the victim's wellbeing for over a decade. The court proceedings took place at Durham Crown Court, underscoring English's repeated violations despite prior convictions and name change.