Jersey woman sentenced to community service for historic sexual offences against teenager

A 53-year-old Jersey woman convicted of sexually abusing a teenager in the 1990s has been ordered to complete 456 hours of community service.

Donna Bentley was found guilty of three offences by a jury in July, including two counts of procuring an act of gross indecency and one count of indecent assault.

The Royal Court heard the offences took place during the 1990s, when the male victim was under 16 and legally unable to consent to sexual activity.

Prosecution advocate Carla Carvalho told the court that the victim experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexual anxiety later in life as a result of the abuse.

Bentley, who is from Jersey, was aged between 19 and 21 at the time of the offences.

She resigned from her position as care manager at the charity Les Amis after charges were brought against her.

Exceptional case

When sentencing Bentley, Deputy Bailiff Mark Temple said prison sentences were normally imposed for sexual offences against children.

However, he said the case was considered exceptional, and the court imposed a community service order instead.

Bentley must complete 456 hours of unpaid work.

Police Detective Constable Elianne Jones said reporting the offences had required “considerable courage” from the victim.

She said she hoped the case would encourage other victims to come forward, knowing they would be supported, taken seriously and listened to.