Ben Slaney

Ben Slaney, a 33-year-old man from Blackpool, Lancashire, was sentenced to 18 years in prison at Preston Crown Court for a series of sexual offences against a young girl who was just six years old when the abuse began. The court heard that the abuse continued over a three-year period, during which Slaney committed multiple incidents of sexual touching, sexual assault by penetration, and produced category A and B indecent images of children.

Slaney, residing at Portland Road in Blackpool, denied all allegations during the trial, claiming that the victim was fabricating the story. However, a jury at Preston Crown Court saw through his denials and found him guilty on three charges related to the sexual touching, as well as the additional counts of sexual assault by penetration and making indecent images. The judge presiding over the case praised the victim's exceptional courage, noting that the now-teenage girl had demonstrated maturity far beyond her years throughout the ordeal of the trial.

In a poignant statement read to the court, the victim expressed the profound impact of the abuse on her life. She stated: "I’ve endured a life of pain since the first time that man took advantage of the little girl I once was. I stand proud of myself for defending what’s right as I know he will be on a register for the rest of his life because of his actions." She further reflected on the lost innocence of her childhood and hoped her conviction would encourage other victims to come forward, adding: "I hope this conviction will give courage to any too scared yet to speak, or too young yet to understand."

Alongside the 18-year custodial sentence, Slaney was subjected to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a lifetime restraining order to protect the public from further harm. He will serve at least 12 years before being eligible for parole and is required to register as a sex offender for life. Detective Constable Lucy Cross of Blackpool Police commended the victim's bravery in her statement, describing Slaney as "a dangerous paedophile who has preyed on a vulnerable victim and who has shown no remorse for his actions." She emphasised the police's commitment to investigating such cases sensitively and bringing offenders to justice.

The case, reported by the Blackpool Gazette on 20 March 2026, underscores the ongoing efforts by Lancashire Constabulary to combat child sexual exploitation in the region. Slaney's conviction serves as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences for those who perpetrate such crimes against vulnerable children.