UTF-8 BOM - the number of constructors during runtime and compile time for java.lang.RuntimeException do not match. Expected 4 but got 5

[Qwatcha]

When running the less task on a less file with the a UTF-8 file with the BOM the plugin throws the below:

Execution failed for task ':lesscss'.

the number of constructors during runtime and compile time for java.lang.RuntimeException do not match. Expected 4 but got 5

[scottmboring]

I have seen this as well; it appears the exception handling for the task does not work resulting in an exception that is not helpful.