Moment brave cops rush into sea to arrest paedophile, 45, after he tried to escape by jumping into waves

THIS is the moment brave cops rush into the sea to arrest a paedophile after he tried to escape them by jumping into the waves.

Police scrambled to the scene at Porthcawl seafront, South Wales, after reports a man had been sending inappropriate messages to a schoolgirl.

Gavin Bennett, 45, dashed into the dark ocean in an attempt to evade arrest at around 9.45pm on October 22 last year.

Body cam footage from South Wales Police shows Bridgend response officers pursuing the sex offender, despite the risk of strong currents and lack of visibility.

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An officer can be heard saying: “We have to make sure this guy is safe.”

He adds that he will “have to go in” before warning his colleagues to “be careful”.

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This follows the victim disclosing that Bennett sexually assaulted her multiple times over two years.

Detective Sergeant Natasha O’Rourke said: “I would like to thank the victim in this case for coming forward and for being courageous throughout the process of this investigation.

“Because of her, we have been able to convict a man who is clearly 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.”

Bennett was also slapped with a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

Sergeant Melissa Carpenter from the Bridgend response team said: “The bravery of these officers meant no harm came to Bennett, and the investigation was then able to be continued by CID colleagues who ensured Bennett was held accountable for his actions.”

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Owain Hembury, added: “Bennett willingly looked to manipulate someone he believed to be under the age of 16 for his own sexual gratification, and I’m pleased to see him held accountable for his actions despite his attempt to evade arrest.”

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “On October 22, 2025, at around 9.45pm, officers were called to Porthcawl seafront to a report of a man who had been sending inappropriate messages to a girl he believed to be under 16.

“Upon attending the area, the man – Gavin Bennett – ran into the sea to evade arrest.

“Despite the risk of currents and the lack of visibility, the officers bravely followed Bennett into the sea to ensure he did not come to any harm, and to ensure the judiciary process could be continued.

“Bennett was safely brought to shore, detained and transported to hospital for checks, before returning to custody.

“He was charged shortly after for two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child, and within three days of the incident he entered a guilty plea at Cardiff Crown Court.”

They added: “On September 1, Gavin Bennett aged 45, of Porthcawl, was sentenced to three years and eight months for the offences.

“Bennett was also sentenced for two counts of sexually assaulting a female. The matter was reported to police In August 2023.