How one of Australia’s leading gymnastic coaches was able to abuse girls as young as nine over two decades

A once-respected gymnastics coach with experience at gyms across Australia created “opportunities” to abuse multiple teenage girls over two decades, a court has been told.

Daniel Gordon Benson appeared before Albury District Court from custody at Goulburn supermax for a hearing on 20 charges, including sexual assault on girls under 16.

The charges relate to sexual abuse and indecent assault of students as young as 14 in 1999 on Sydney’s northern beaches and at Penrith in the city’s west.

Crown attorney William Martin told the court it was “perhaps very clear” that Benson was motivated by an “interest in children, young girls.”

The Crown submitted a psychological report that also found Benson “failed to see the power dynamics” and his authority over his victims, and his role in protecting them.

“There is a reference to him believing that two of the encounters were consensual, which again seems consistent with him minimizing or justifying his offences,” he said.

‘He then sent the court a letter, which in some respects addressed the consequences for the victim. That’s really the first time there’s been any evidence for that.

“There are only a few lines in this letter that focus much more on the impact on him… We would be concerned about his prospects for rehabilitation.”

Mr Martin said Benson was assessed as a ‘moderate risk of sexual reoffending’ and the offense was not opportunistic given a ‘not insignificant amount’ of grooming.

He said Benson had “created opportunities” so that he was able to offend his teenage victims “in the belief that they would be compliant” and not report the attacks.

Defense attorney Scott Schaudin disagreed that all of the offenses were premeditated and argued that the “facts speak to completely opportunistic behavior” against at least one of the girls.

He went on to state that “whether the remorse or contribution comes late or early,” Benson’s letter to the court showed that he did understand the consequences of his transgression.

“Having heard the eloquent victims speak about the damage he caused, as he stands before you today, there is appreciation for that damage,” he said.

The charges relate to sexual abuse and assault of students as young as 14 in 1999 on Sydney’s northern beaches and at Penrith in the city’s west (photo: Benson’s arrest)

Mr Schaudin said Benson had faced hardships in custody following his 2021 remand prison sentence, namely being “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 at 9.30am on November 1 when Judge Justin Smith passes sentence.

The offenses included seven counts of aggravated indecent assault on someone under the age of 16 and four counts of sexual intercourse with some between the ages of 14 and 16.

He also faces three counts of assault with indecency, two of sexual intercourse without consent, and two counts of sexual touching without consent as related charges.