A psychotherapist who claims to have had sex with more than 900 people has been jailed for 14 years for child abuse offences which “destroyed” his victim.
Paedophile Benjamin Edgell was told by a judge that such a sentence was demanded as his uncontrollable sex drive meant he posed a significant risk of serious harm to women and young girls.
The 43-year-old was also accused of having “masqueraded” as a therapist, despite his qualifications, in order to groom his victim and her family.
Edgell, from Radstock in Somerset, had denied two offences of assault by penetration, one of sexual assault, one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two of making indecent images of a child during a trial at Maidstone Crown Court in December last year.
But having been found guilty by a jury, he returned on Friday (July 11) for sentencing.
Prosecutor Kathryn Hirst said the victim described how Edgell touched her “privacy bits” and rubbed himself against her while encouraging her to touch his exposed genitals.
Photos of her naked from the waist down were also found on a laptop linked to his phone following his arrest.
In a moving impact statement written by the girl’s mother and read to the court, it was said the abuse had left her feeling unsafe, full of anger and wishing she was “no longer in the world”.
Describing how there was “no plaster” for this type of wound, she added: “Child abuse lives with the victim forever. Her life has been destroyed.
“She has so much anger. She hates her body and the way she looks. She feels unsafe. She says she cannot get the sexual abuse out of her head.”
You are a man unable to control your sex drive and, accordingly, you do present a significant risk of serious harm both to women and girls
As well as pleading not guilty to the charges, the court heard Edgell, who was living in Kent at the time, continues to maintain his innocence.
But on imposing an 18-year extended sentence, comprising 14 years’ custody and four years additional licence period, Judge Robert Lazarus highlighted elements of the defendant’s behaviour that were not in dispute – and which contributed to him being considered a dangerous offender.
These included not only his high number of sexual partners but also the fact he has twice been removed from a professional body for having relationships with clients.
Edgell also claims to have indulged in group sex and made pornographic films.
But referring to the sex offender’s professional career, described as “successful but now over” by his lawyer, Judge Lazarus said: “You brought this family into your sphere by masquerading as a therapist.
“I say masquerading because, notwithstanding your qualifications, I am satisfied you had no intention to provide genuine, professional therapy.”
He also told Edgell, who has no previous convictions, that the psychological harm he had inflicted was likely to “tragically” continue for many years.
And in considering whether an extended sentence should be imposed, Judge Lazarus continued: “You don’t accept any responsibility for your behaviour.
“You don’t believe you have done anything wrong and paint yourself in this case as the victim, although I note you are unable to identify, perhaps unsurprisingly, why they would fabricate the allegations you have been convicted of.
“You have also had over 900 sexual partners and formed sexual relationships with patients.
“You are a man unable to control your sex drive and, accordingly, you do present a significant risk of serious harm both to women generally and in particular to girls.
“In those circumstances, I’m satisfied it is necessary in this case to make an extended sentence order.”
Edgell, who appeared in court via prison video link with HMP Peterborough, will spend just over nine years – two-thirds of the custodial term – behind bars before he can apply for parole.
But he will only be released once it is considered safe to do so or when the full 14 years have been served.
Once freed, four years will be added to any licence period and he will be required to sign on the sex offender register indefinitely.
