A once-respected gymnastics coach with experience in gyms across Australia created “opportunities” to abuse multiple teenage girls over two decades, a court has been told.
Daniel Gordon Benson appeared in Albury District Court from Goulburn supermax prison for a hearing on 20 charges, including sexual assault on girls under 16.
The charges relate to sexual abuse and assault on students aged 14 and over in 1999 on Sydney’s northern beaches and in Penrith in the city’s west.
Crown prosecutor William Martin told the court it was “perhaps quite clear” that Benson was motivated by an “interest in children, young girls”.
The prosecutor submitted a psychological report which also found Benson “failed to see the power dynamics” and his authority over his victims, and his role in protecting them.
“There is reference to his belief that two of the encounters were consensual, which again seems consistent with his minimisation or justification of his offending,” he said.
“He then sent the court a letter, which in some respects discussed the impact on the victim. That is really the first time there has been evidence of that.
“There are just a few lines in that letter which focus much more on the impact on him… We would be concerned about his prospects for rehabilitation.”
Daniel Gordon Benson appeared in Albury District Court from Goulburn Prison for a hearing on 20 charges, including sexual assault on girls under the age of 16.
Mr Martin said Benson was assessed as a ‘moderate risk of sexual reoffending’ and that the offending was not opportunistic given the ‘not insignificant amount’ of grooming.
He said Benson had ‘created opportunities’ so that he could offend his teenage victims ‘in the belief that they would comply’ and not report the assaults.
Defense attorney Scott Schaudin disagreed that all of the offenses were premeditated, arguing that the “facts point to completely opportunistic behavior” against at least one of the girls.
He went on to say that “whether the remorse or contribution comes late or early,” Benson’s letter to the court showed that he understood the consequences of his offense.
“Now that I have heard the eloquent victims speak about the harm he has caused, as he stands before you today, there is an appreciation for that harm,” he said.
The charges relate to sexual abuse and assault of students aged 14 and over in 1999 on Sydney’s northern beaches and in Penrith in the city’s west (pictured: Benson’s arrest)
Mr Schaudin said Benson had struggled in custody following his remand in custody in 2021, having been “locked up” without a treatment plan.
Benson was once named Levels Coach of the Year by Gymnastics NSW, but saw his relationship fall apart following his arrest at his Western Sydney home in late 2021.
He pleaded guilty to the charges in February this year and will appear in court on November 1 at 9.30am when Judge Justin Smith will deliver sentence.
The offences include seven counts of aggravated indecent assault on a person under 16 and four counts of sexual intercourse with a person aged between 14 and 16.
He also faces three counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of sexual contact without consent as related charges.