Bennett’s friends back his character
Lewis Bennett is a good friend and family man who lost his wife at sea and deserves compassion when he’s sentenced Feb. 20 on federal charges of transporting stolen coins, friends and relatives say in letters to the court.
The letters, submitted Jan. 29 by Bennett’s lawyers, for the first time shed some light on the background of the dual England-Australia citizen whose wife, 41-yearold suburban Delray Beach real estate broker Isabella Hellmann, vanished at sea May 15.
The Coast Guard helicopter that rescued Bennett in the Bahamas had flown him to Marathon in the Keys where, federal prosecutors charge, authorities found coins on him that were stolen while he worked in May 2016 as a mate aboard a yacht in the Caribbean.
Bennett, 40, has been in custody since he was arrested Aug. 28. He pleaded guilty Nov. 30. His sentencing, originally set for Feb. 12 in Key West, has been moved to Feb. 20 in Miami. Prosecutors said at his plea hearing that they will recommend a reduced sentence but did not specify a length. Bennett also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of
probation, as well as deportation.
The Coast Guard called off its ocean search for Hellmann after four days. Within a day of that, Bennett wrote the agency and requested, without success, a “letter of presumed death.” In October, he filed for probate in Palm Beach County Court. That has been stalled pend- ing the results of “missing person” investigations by both the Coast Guard and the FBI. Neither agency will comment or has said whether it suspects foul play.
Soon after his rescue, Bennett said in a social-media posting that he took the couple’s daughter to his native England, where his parents live. Authorities will not say how Bennett returned to Florida and was arrested.
All 10 of the letters submit- ted to the court were from Dorset in southwest England, where Bennett grew up, or nearby Hampshire, where his parents now live. Both are about 75 miles south- west of London.
“As a father myself, I have spent time with Lewis and his child Emelia recently, and have welcomed them both to play with my own son,” wrote Paul Ingram, who said he’s known Bennett for 25 years.
Laura Patrick, a teacher who said she knew Bennett for two years, called him “a trustworthy friend and citizen.”
Stuart Poole said he met Bennett 35 years ago, when the two were about 6 years old. He said Hellmann’s loss at sea “broke his heart as they were looking forward to raising their daughter with who (sic) he described as his soulmate.” Poole said he hoped Lewis “is given a chance to properly grieve the loss of his wife and soon continue to raise his daughter to become a special loving person like he is to all who know and care for him.”
David Welton, who said he and Bennett were in school together two decades ago, said that “anyone who has spoken to me about Lewis is surprised to hear of his involvement in the theft of coins.”
David Faulkner, a carpen- ter, said he and Bennett were friends in middle school and he “has always been a good citizen and honest, trustworthy and reliable.”
William Frampton, a busi- ness manager, said he’d known Bennett for 25 years and said his friend “should be allowed the opportunity to see his only child grow and develop, especially as a single parent, and reduce any impact of previous catastrophic events.
“As an orphan myself, I believe that this should be at the forefront of your minds when passing judgment and that Lewis played an import- ant role for me when grow- ing up without parents.
Claire Blundell, who met Bennett through his parents when they moved to another British town about seven years ago, said that shortly after that, her husband died suddenly and that Bennett “was a very good friend to me during this terrible time ... advising me, helping me with several jobs in and around my property, and just generally being there for me.”
Kenneth Dagnall said he’d known Bennett since child- hood and said he was “hardworking, industrious and likable,” adding that, “I am somewhat amazed at his present predicament.”
Bennett’s sister, Claire Bennett, and his parents, Sheila and Tom Bennett, each wrote full-page letters.
The parents focused on Bennett’s efforts to assure that they ate properly and on his volunteer works and environmental concerns.
“This is a sad time for us all and we hope that Lewis can return home soon. Emelia misses her father, too,” the couple wrote. In her letter, Claire Bennett wrote: “I am so proud that Lewis has been able to put on such a brave face following the recent accident at sea . ... It has been a tragic time but it is a testament to Lewis’ character, and his love and respect for Isabella, that he has been able to manage his grief and to focus his energy on Emelia’s care and her future.” She said she was proud that her brother set up a business in Australia and said he often would help pay for family members to fly there. She said she was encouraging the judge “to give him a second chance to prove that the charge against him is very unusual.” Poole and Welton, reached by phone, did not want to comment. Ingram, Patrick, Frampton, Blundell and Dagnall did not respond to calls and emails. Faulkner’s letter gave no contact information. Claire Bennett also dec l ined to comment. Bennett’s parents did not respond. His father was reached Dec. 19 by phone in England, but said only, “I’m sorry. I’ve got nothing to say to you. Thanks for your call.”