Former Gogglebox star, 47 jailed for 29 months for a sex attack on a teenage boy

A former Gogglebox star who carried out a sex attack on a teenage boy blamed his behaviour on 'slimming drugs' as he was jailed for 29 months today.

Andrew Bennett, who starred in series 12 of the popular Channel 4 show, cornered the boy at a house before subjecting him to a shocking attack that left him 'in tears' and suffering flashbacks.

A court heard Bennett, 47, had taken selfies with the victim, but then put his hands down his pants, gave him a lovebite and tried to lure him into a bedroom for oral sex.

Bennett, of Sunderland, initially denied any wrongdoing and blamed his actions on 'slimming drugs' he was taking at the time.

But after a police probe found DNA linking him to the boy, Bennett admitted a single count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two of sexual activity with a child.

He was sentenced to 29 months' imprisonment, added to the sex offenders' register and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years at Newcastle Crown Court today.

Bennett (left), from Sunderland, appeared in series 12 of the popular Channel 4 show Gogglebox

Glenn Gatland, prosecuting, earlier told the court that Bennett, who had been drinking, asked the boy if he and his girlfriend had had sex - before proceeding to put his hands down his pants.

He said: 'He started saying he was gay and was asking (the complainant) if he was gay.

'The complainant said he was not gay. The defendant started to put his hands down his pants again then told him to turn away from him and started kissing him on the back of his neck and gave him a lovebite.'

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