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Police Officers Brave the Sea to Detain Man in Porthcawl
Two police officers displayed remarkable courage when they waded into the sea at Porthcawl seafront to apprehend a man attempting to evade arrest. The incident occurred at approximately 9:45 PM on October 22, 2025, when officers arrived on the scene to find Gavin Bennett, 45, approximately 20 metres from shore, after reports of inappropriate messages sent to a girl he believed was under 16.
Despite the darkness and uncertainty about the strength of the currents, the officers entered the water to ensure Bennett’s safety and to uphold the law. Their actions have been praised by both police colleagues and members of the public. Footage released by South Wales Police shows the officers navigating the swirling water in their attempt to reach Bennett.
After successfully bringing him to shore, Bennett was detained and taken to a hospital for assessment before being transported to police custody. He was subsequently charged with two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child. Within three days, Bennett pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court.
On September 1, 2026, Bennett was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for his offences. In addition to the charges related to child communications, he faced sentencing for two counts of sexually assaulting a female, following a complaint made to police in August 2023, detailing incidents occurring over a two-year period.
Detective Constable Owain Hembury commented on the case, stating that Bennett had sought to manipulate someone he believed to be underage for his own gratification. He expressed satisfaction at Bennett being held accountable for his actions despite his attempts to evade arrest.
Furthermore, Bennett was issued a sexual harm prevention order for a duration of ten years. Detective Sergeant Natasha O’Rourke expressed gratitude towards the victim for her bravery in coming forward, highlighting that her actions were pivotal in achieving justice against a man seen as a threat to young women.
Sergeant Melissa Carpenter from the Bridgend Response Team lauded the bravery of the officers involved, who ensured that no harm came to Bennett and allowed the investigation to proceed.
