Serial sex offender caged for at least six years

A serial sex offender, who carried out a campaign of terror against six women, has been jailed for at least six years at the High Court in Dunfermline.

Ben Slee, a 31-year-old offshore worker, raped one of his victims and attempted to rape another.

A jury last September found Slee guilty of 29 charges after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow but he continues to deny any wrong-doing.

Slee, of Maitland Court, Helensburgh, was made subject to a lifelong restriction order when he appeared for sentencing today.

Four of the women were beaten viciously and sexually assaulted. Another was slapped and kicked in a house in Helensburgh.

The abuse started in 2002 and carried on for 13 years at various locations in Helensburgh, Garelochhead, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Speaking to the court before the sentencing, clinical psychologist, Dr John Marshall, said Slee was in “extreme denial”.

He added, “There is an extraordinary level of denial even about minor matters.”
Dr Marshall said Slee has a psychopathic personality and posed a high risk of committing further sexual violence in the future.

Lord Beckett said, “It’s clear from the victim impact statements that the offending has had very profound effects on them.”

He added that there had be “no insight, no remorse” shown by Slee.

The judge told Slee there was no guarantee that he would be released after six years. The sentence will be backdated to 2nd September when he was taken into custody.

Slee was also put on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.

Offenders placed on lifelong restriction orders are subject to conditions imposed through a risk management plan when released.