A Leeds man has been jailed after admitting to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl and attempting sexual activity online with a police officer posing as a 12-year-old.
Benjamin Pinchin, 30, was sentenced on Thursday at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to 36 offences on 26 June. Charges included sexual assault of a child, possession and creation of indecent images of children, and multiple counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.
Pinchin received a 12-year prison sentence, was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely, and was issued a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The arrest and prosecution followed a joint investigation by the Calderdale District Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) and the Leeds District Safeguarding Team.
Det Con Denis Parke from OCAIT described Pinchin as “a dangerous predatory man who poses a significant risk to young children,” emphasizing that those who create, possess, or distribute indecent images or engage in sexual communications with children online will be prosecuted.
Det Sgt Claire Salkeld, from the safeguarding team, praised the young victim for her courage in coming forward and reporting the abuse she suffered.
