St. Charles man gets four-year term for sex assault

A 38-year-old St. Charles man is going to prison for having sexual contact with a woman without her consent.

Patrick M. Benner, of the 800 block of Stuarts Drive, was sentenced today to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for a Dec. 17, 2005 incident involving a 25-year-old female acquaintance.

He was found guilty in September of criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony.

Authorities said the incident occurred while the woman and two others were spending the night at Benner's townhouse.

When later interviewed by St. Charles police, Benner acknowledged that the victim did not consent to the sexual contact, authorities said.

Under state law, Benner must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He was given credit for one day served in the Kane County jail.

"We believe this sentence not only brings justice to the victim, but it also serves notice that non-consensual sex equates to rape and this office will prosecute these cases to the fullest extent," said Assistant Kane County State's Attorney David Belshan, who, with Assistant State's Attorney Liz Lovig, prosecuted the case.

Upon release, Benner must register as a sex offender for at least 10 years. He will be subject to parole for at least three years.