ONE of Dorset’s most dangerous and prolific sex offenders is facing life behind bars after being found guilty of seven rapes on six women.

Serial rapist Gene Benjamin, known as Barry, strangled his victims into unconsciousness and then raped and beat them, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

The jury was told how he had struck fear into a community in Boscombe, which included sex workers and drug users.

The court heard from ten women aged from 18 to 40 – one was six months pregnant and another was attacked with a claw hammer.

He threatened them with knives, an axe and a hammer.

Benjamin, 53, of Belle Vue Road, Southbourne was convicted following a two-month trial.

He was found guilty of seven counts of rape, eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of wounding with intent.

He was found not guilty of nine counts of rape, one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of false of imprisonment.

He got away with his crimes for years because his victims were too scared to report him.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Connolly, who led the investigation, said yesterday: “I am delighted with the verdicts. Public protection deals with victims, whatever their background or vulnerability.

I hope this sends out a clear message that we are very keen to hear from anybody who has been subject to any form of sexual attack or violence. We will take such reports very seriously and will actively prosecute offenders.”

And DCI Connolly praised the victims for helping to put one of the most dangerous men in the county behind bars.

“They’ve all supported one another by doing the right thing and I hope today’s verdicts demonstrate what can be achieved if victims have confidence in the police and enable us to do our job.”

Benjamin will be sentenced in around six weeks time after the preparation of pre-sentence and psychiatric reports.

Judge Samuel Wiggs said the sentence would be one of either life imprisonment or an indeterminate sentence for public protection.

He praised Dorset Police, and formally commended Detective Sergeant Lindsay Dudfield for her “outstanding detective work”.