Former Gogglebox star Andrew Bennett has been jailed for a sex attack on a teenage boy.
Bennett is best known for appearing in the 12th series of the Channel 4 show. He was today (May 12) jailed for 29 months after he subjected a teenager to an attack that left the boy 'in tears' and suffering flashbacks, reports The Mirror.
The 47-year-old took selfies with the young boy, before cornering him at a house. He went on to shove his hands down the boy's pants, and even attempted to lure him into a bedroom for a sex act.
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At first, Bennett, of Sunderland, denied all charges and claimed his behaviour was due to 'slimming drugs'. He later admitted one charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two of sexual activity with a child after DNA connected him to the teenage boy.
Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to 29 months in prison, and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register. He also has to abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.
Judge Gittins told Bennett: "You sought to blame slimming drugs for your behaviour. I acknowledge this was an aberration in your behaviour, it was unplanned and only occurred because you were intoxicated."
The prosecutor, Glenn Gatland, told the court the former Gogglebox star was drinking and asked the boy if he and his girlfriend had had sex before putting his hands down his pants. "He started saying he was gay and was asking (the complainant) if he was gay," Gatland said.
"The defendant started to put his hands down his pants again then told him to turn away from him and started kissing him on the back of his neck and gave him a lovebite." The court heard Bennett then told the victim "if he was straight he would tell him he didn't want him touching his penis".
The teenage boy told the Bennett he was a child and told him to 'stop', however, the court heard Bennett continued to pursue him. After Bennett asked if the teen wanted to into a bedroom for a sex act, the teen left the house "in tears".
Bennett was arrested and told police it was the slimming aid that made him act that way. The victim has been left with "flashbacks" and added: "I am trying to be positive and move on, however, I do think this will take some time." Defending Bennett was Gavid Doig who said the star "could not be more remorseful" for his actions.
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