Ex-Gogglebox star Andrew Bennett jailed after sexually assaulting boy and leaving him in tears

May 12, 2022

FORMER Gogglebox star Andrew Bennett has been jailed after a sick sex attack on a teen boy left him "in tears".

The 47-year-old, who starred in series 12 of the Channel 4 show, pounced on the victim as they sat on the sofa together.

Bennett groped the boy, gave him a lovebite and tried to lure him to a bedroom so he could perform a sex act on him.

The teen tried to remind Bennett of his age but the fiend replied: "Stop, you're making me feel bad".

Bennett initially denied assaulting the victim and instead blamed his vile behaviour on "slimming drugs".

But 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 linked him to the horror.

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Bennett has now been jailed for 29 months and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register.

He must also abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

The court was told Bennett, who had been drinking, took selfies with the boy before cornering him at the property.

He asked if he was gay, which the teen said he wasn't, and continued to pursue him.

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The boy fled the house in tears and still suffers from flashbacks following the ordeal.

He told the court: "I looked up to Andrew. I was interested in
what he did. I am aware he was on Gogglebox a while ago.

"What happened in that few hours will be with me for a very long time.

"I felt frightened and very uncomfortable. I didn't know what to do."

Bennett was arrested and told police he was "appalled" at his behaviour.

CPS North East's Andrew Jones said: "Andrew Bennett forced himself upon his young victim, touching him inappropriately before attempting to incite him into further sexual acts.

"During his first interview with police Bennett denied having touched his victim, claiming only to have spoken to the boy at the time of the alleged attacks, but then claimed that his behaviour had been affected by slimming tablets when further physical evidence was shown to him.

"The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with police, piecing together forensic evidence and witness testimony to build a robust case, which has been instrumental in securing guilty pleas to all charges against the defendant.