Description
A registered sex offender has been jailed for 20 years for the "sickening" attempted rape of a teenage girl, according to South Yorkshire Police.
Ben Johnson, 38, of no fixed address, wore a balaclava as he exposed himself to the girl, sexually assaulted her, and attempted to rape her in Tongue Gutter Woods in Sheffield on 27 June 2024.
The girl punched Johnson, escaped, and reported the attack to police the same day.
She provided a description of her attacker and later identified Johnson in a controlled ID process.
After his arrest, Johnson gave a prepared statement denying the offenses and did not comment during two interviews.
Following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court in July, he was found guilty of attempted rape of a girl under 16, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of exposure. He was sentenced at the same court on Monday and given an indefinite restraining order barring contact with the victim.
Det Con Kevin Sibley, who led the investigation, praised the victim's
"incredible courage throughout her ordeal."
"She was able to provide a strong positive ID of her attacker, which helped prove Johnson was responsible for this sickening crime," he said. "I commend her for her remarkable bravery."
Sibley added he was "pleased with the lengthy sentence," noting, "A dangerous man is now behind bars where he belongs."