Gloriavale sex offender says some of it consensual

Joanne Naish | The Press |

Jonathan Benjamin, 58, is facing a jury trial in the Greymouth District Court for offending that allegedly happened in the Gloriavale Christian community from 1989 to 2017 at Haupiri and Springbank, the cult’s original site at Springbank, near Christchurch.

He has pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexual violation by rape, four charges of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, four charges of indecent assault on a girl under 12, indecent assault on a young person under 16, four charges of indecent assault on a girl 12 to 16 and two charges of indecent assault.

Benjamin previously pleaded guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault of children and unlawful sexual connection.

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