A GROUP that looks after sex workers has praised the “brave” victims of a “very dangerous man” who was convicted after an eight-week trial.

As reported in the Daily Echo on Friday, Gene Benjamin, described as “one of Dorset’s most dangerous sex offenders”, was found guilty of seven counts of rape, eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of grievous bodily harm at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Benjamin, who was known as Barry, of Belle Vue Road, Southbourne, subjected women, most of whom were prostitutes, to terrifying attacks between 2005 and 2010.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Connolly, described the Dorset Working Women’s Project’s (DWWP) help in bringing him to justice as “essential”.

Pauline Smyth, from the DWWP, said: “I would like to commend the women for their bravery – there would not have been a case without them.

“I am extremely pleased that a very dangerous man has been removed from the community.

“Sex workers are members of the community and have the right to protection from violence.

“I would encourage people involved in sex work to come forward and report crimes committed against them.

“Dorset Police has done an excellent job and made it clear that crimes against sex workers will be taken seriously and victims treated with respect.”

DCI Connolly said: “This verdict comes at the end of a long and complex investigation into the violent relationships that Benjamin had with numerous extremely vulnerable women.”

He added: “I would also like to express my gratitude to the Dorset Working Women’s Project, whose support was essential to the enquiry.

“They interact with sex workers on a weekly basis and helped to identify and protect victims while the investigation progressed.

“They also provided corroboration for some of the offences going back as far as 2005.”

Benjamin will return to Bournemouth Crown Court in July for sentencing.