Alexander Benfield, of Lawrence Road, Cirencester, has today been sentenced to seven years imprisonment after he was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of attempted kidnap and ABH.
On Saturday 8 July 2017, three young girls, two aged eight-years-old and one aged nine were walking in the village of Ashton Keynes when one of the girls was grabbed by Alexander Benfield on her shoulder and her bottom. He then tried to pick the young girl up but she screamed and he dropped her. She fell forward grazing her knees before Alexander ran off.
The girls were distressed as a result of the incident and ran home, where their mother called the police.
An investigation was carried out and through CCTV analysis, Benfield was identified and arrested.
Alexander has been sentenced to a period of seven years imprisonment and will serve a further three years on licence.
Detective Constable Cerys Powell said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank the people of the village of Ashton Keynes who were really crucial in assisting police in this case. CCTV was very important and was provided by the local garage. Their assistance helped us solve this case swiftly.
“This incident was obviously extremely distressing and upsetting for these three young girls who were walking home from the local shop at the time – I have no doubt that Benfield’s action would have been terrifying for them.
“I would like to praise the victim in this case who has shown a huge amount of courage in reliving her ordeal to give evidence in court. Thanks to her bravery Benfield will now serve time in prison.”
