Police officers in Porthcawl, Wales, pursued and apprehended Gavin Bennett, 45, after he plunged into the sea in an attempt to escape arrest on the evening of October 22, 2025. The incident was captured on police bodycam, showing officers entering the water despite the challenging conditions, including waves and limited visibility.
Bennett was wanted for sending inappropriate messages to a schoolgirl he believed to be under 16. He entered the water at approximately 9:45 p.m., with officers following him to ensure his safety and continue the arrest process. One officer is heard on the footage alerting a colleague to "be careful in the current" as they entered the sea.
Following his safe retrieval from the water, Bennett was arrested by officers from the Bridgend response team. He was then transported to a local hospital for medical checks before returning to custody. The matter had initially been reported to the police in August 2023.
Bennett pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and two counts of sexually assaulting a female. He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court within three days of his arrest and was sentenced yesterday to three years and eight months in prison. He also received a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.
Detective Sergeant Natasha O'Rourke commended the victim for her courage in coming forward, stating that her actions led to the conviction of a man posing a threat to young women. "I can only hope that this helps her to move on from this in a more positive way and gain some form of closure," O'Rourke added. Detective Constable Owain Hembury noted Bennett's attempt to manipulate a minor for his own sexual gratification and expressed satisfaction that he was held accountable for his actions.