SCHOOLGIRL Chloe was getting ready for bed when her phone rang.
But when she read a Snapchat message from her mum’s new boyfriend, the 14-year-old stopped in her tracks – the man who used to help her with her homework was now asking for X-rated pictures.
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Teenager Chloe, now 16, with her mum Sarah Anstee, 36Credit: WNS
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Predator Ben Gleeson, 36, who was jailed for having sex with a childCredit: WNS
Horrified Chloe called her mum Sarah Anstee, who immediately kicked out partner Ben Gleeson and called the police.
Gleeson, 36, from Flint, initially pleaded not guilty after trying to wriggle out of his predatory behaviour, claiming he was having an affair with another woman called ‘Chloe’ and sent the message by mistake.
But on the day of his trial at Mold Crown Court he pleaded guilty and was jailed for ten months for having sexual contact with the child in October last year.
Now Sarah and Chloe, who bravely waived her right to anonymity, are speaking out to warn other potential victims of grooming.
Sarah, 36, said: “Ben was my friend for a long time before he became my partner.
“I never dreamed that he had such vile intentions towards my 14-year-old teenage daughter.
“He was very protective of Chloe and I thought he really cared about her.
“It devastated me and I wondered if I had missed the signs, but the police told me I had been groomed too.”
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Sarah feared she might have missed the signs, but police told her she was a victim tooCredit: WNS
Sarah had barely recovered from the breakup of her last relationship when Gleeson, a well-known friend, became especially concerned.
The mother of three was diagnosed with cervical cancer and underwent a total hysterectomy, but the stress and pressure affected her relationship with her children’s father and they divorced.
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Suddenly Gleeson was dropping by regularly for cups of tea.
Sarah said: “It was so nice to have someone who listened to me and understood how I was feeling.
“Soon Ben was visiting our house regularly for cups of tea and watching movies with me and the kids.
“I noticed Ben really shined in my daughter Chloe (14) and one day I walked into the living room and he was sitting next to her.”
Chloe told her that Gleeson was helping her with her homework. He then won Sarah over by showering her with chocolates and heaps of flowers.
red flags
But six months after he moved in, red flags began to appear.
Sarah said: “I started to see a very different, controlling side of his personality.
“Then I found out he bought Chloe vape behind my back. I was absolutely furious.
Chloe admitted that he had given it to her and told her: ‘It will be our little secret, Chloe.’
– I should have told him to make one, but I didn’t.
I began to see a completely different, controlling side of his personality. Then I found out he bought Chloe vape behind my back. I was absolutely furious
Sarah Anstee
Sarah showed mercy to Ben because she believed he didn’t understand parenting. But instead of getting better, things got worse.
One evening I was in the living room with Ben and Chloe watching TV, Sarah recalled.
“Ben came home from work and we had a takeaway with tea. I noticed he wasn’t quite himself, he had a kind of bemused, blank look on his face.
“The boys were with dad, so it was just the three of us.
“Chole said she went to bed, and as she was leaving the living room, Ben stroked her hair.
“I snapped, ‘You can’t stroke her hair like that!'”
A vile bribe
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Chloe was just 14 when Gleeson tried to bribe her for topless photos Credit: WNS
Later that night when the couple went to bed, Gleeson was reportedly “glued to his phone”.
Suspecting that he might be having an affair, Sarah questioned him, but he assured her that he was checking his work email.
Sarah said: “Then all I heard was Chloe calling me from her bedroom. When I went into her room she was crying and she was terribly shaken.
“She gave me her phone and I couldn’t believe what I was reading: ‘Chloe… Will you send me some photos of you topless. I’ll give you an unlimited supply of vapes’.
Gleeson reportedly began a “friendly exchange” on Snapchat before calling Chloe “little” and “gorgeous”.
Chloe, now 16, said she started getting messages from Gleeson asking for indecent photos at 11pm, telling her: “It will stay between us.”
She handed me her phone and I couldn’t believe what I was reading: ‘Chloe… Will you send me some photos of you topless. I’ll give you an unlimited supply of digits’
Sarah Anstee
She said: “It was really scary because I knew he was in the house when he sent it.
“I didn’t know what to do and whether to tell my mom or not.
“I wanted to tell her, but I was more afraid of what she would think – because it was her boyfriend at the time.
“But I didn’t want it to go any further, or know what he would do, so I told her. I was really upset.”
Sarah added: “Ben was lying next to me texting my student daughter and asking for sexy photos.
“He tried to bribe her… It was one of the worst moments of my life. Chloe was hysterical. Her heart was breaking and my heart was breaking for her.”
Gleeson was arrested the next morning after hiding in his brother’s house.
“Monster in my bed”
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Sarah said the flags started appearing six months into her relationship with Gleeson. Credits: WNS
During the trial, Judge Rhys Rowlands said: “I cannot ignore the way you tried to game the system; pleading not guilty, changing your mind at the last minute and then blaming your lawyer and pleading not guilty, all of which shows precious little remorse on your part .”
The judge added that Gleeson’s crimes were too serious for anything other than the current prison sentence of ten months.
Sarah said: “I will never forgive Ben. He was a monster in my bed and I had no idea.
“He’s in prison now and that’s exactly where he deserves to be. I hope he takes the time to sit down and think about what he’s done and realize how disgusting he is.
I will never forgive Ben. He was a monster in my bed and I had no idea. He’s in prison now, and that’s exactly where he deserves to be
Sarah Anstee
“This was such a breach of trust. He was someone who entered my home, claimed to love us and wanted to protect us.
“He did the complete opposite. It was the biggest betrayal. He was someone my daughter looked up to.
“Sometimes I shudder and ask myself every day – did I miss a red flag? With counseling I’m learning that it wasn’t my fault.
“Ben Gleeson is a master liar. A man who is rotten to the core.
“I want to warn other moms and dads – watch your kids’ social media. There are some bad people out there. Our kids deserve to grow up happy and safe.”
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Chloe and her mum Sarah have warned parents to keep an eye on their children’s social mediaCredit: WNS
Chloe said she sought justice so she could help other people look out for the danger signs of grooming, so victims know they’re not alone.
Chloe, who also received counseling after the incident, added: “It knocked me down in every possible way with my mental health and my confidence.
“I was afraid to go out, and I don’t want to say that everyone is the same, but I was very afraid to be mostly in the company of men.
“I really don’t want anyone else to go through what I did. It was very hard to deal with.
“If people are offered help, I would tell them to accept it, not to immediately reject it.”
AT RISK: Signs that a child has been sexually exploited
Young people often do not realize they are being exploited, which makes it even more important for adults to be vigilant.
Others may be too scared to tell the police or their parents.
These are signs that a child may be sexually exploited:
- Inexplicable gifts
- Expensive things – clothes or mobile phones, for example – and habits like alcohol and drugs that cost money that the child is unlikely to have access to
- Abuse of drugs or alcohol
- Disappearance, runaway or homelessness
- Truancy and truancy or showing signs of non-participation or significant change in performance
- Unexplained changes in behavior, temperament or personality (eg chaotic, aggressive, sexual, mood swings)
- Inappropriate sexual behavior/excessive acquaintance with strangers or sending sexualized images via the Internet or mobile phone
- Socializing with older people, antisocial groups and other vulnerable peers
- Involvement in violent relationships, feelings of intimidation and fear of certain people or situations
- Self-harm, displaying suicidal thoughts and tendencies, substance overdose or eating disorders
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education