Rhondda Cynon Taf man jailed for sexual assault

A man has been jailed for various sexual offences following a South Wales Police investigation.

Andrew Bennison, 44, from Church Village, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was sentenced to 13 years in prison following his conviction. He has also been given a restraining order and sexual harm prevention order for 15 years starting from today. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The sentencing took place today (Thursday, September 17) at Cardiff Crown Court, following a week-long trial in August where Bennison was found guilty of four counts of causing a female to engage in a non-penetrative sexual activity, eight counts of sexual assault and two counts of assaulting a female by penetration with part of body.

This followed the victim coming forward to the police in April 2024. Officers then investigated the case and found that Bennison had been abusing the victim over a seven-year period.

Detective Constable Bethan Crisfield said:

“The bravery it takes to come forward and report offences like these cannot be underestimated.
“We hope that this sentence will go some way in helping the victim rebuild her life and heal from the awful events that took place. I thank her for her strength and dignity throughout this investigation.
“An extensive amount of work went into this investigation, and this sentence sends a hugely positive message to victims of sexual abuse that they will be believed, their attackers will be identified, and they will be brought to justice.”