'Monster' who spent years raping and beating young children in Leeds jailed for 37 years
Judge said it was some of the worst behaviour he had come across
A paedophile who put multiple children through years of physical and sexual abuse has been described as a “monster” by one of his victims, who says her life was ruined.
Vile Paul Benstock was found guilty after a trial at Leeds Crown Court in July of more than 40 offences dating back decades, including rape, sexual assault and physical assaults.
The court heard that that the 62-year-old used fear, violence, intimidation and humiliation to silence his victims.
Judge Neil Clark told him he committed the “most unpleasant sexual offending that can be imagined” and treated one victim as his “sexual slave”.
He added: “You ruined their lives by using and threatening extreme violence.”
Benstock, of Appletree Court, East Ardsley, showed no emotion as he handed an extended 37-year jail sentence, with the judge finding him to be a dangerous offender.
Heartbreaking statements written by his victims were read out to the court by prosecutor Kitty Colley. Again, he showed no emotion.
One said he still “wakes up fighting” Benstock and his ordeal is still ongoing. He said he turned to drugs and alcohol to “numb the pain”.
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.”
The court heard the abuse dated back to the 1990s, and it was only when his final victim came forward and spoke out that others then followed. His youngest victim was just nine and he would then threaten them into staying silent.
He not only sexually abused youngsters, but attacked them using weapons in ways that Judge Clark described as “ghastly”.
Following his arrest, it was found he had 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 offender for life.
Detective Sergeant Michelle Barnes, of Leeds Safeguarding Unit, said: “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.”