Barry Bennell: Former football coach found guilty of child sex abuse

Court hears former junior coach was ‘child molester on an industrial scale’

Barry Bennell appeared at the trial yesterday via video link (PA)

Former football coach Barry Bennell has been found guilty of multiple sex assault charges including indecent assault and serious sexual assaults on boys aged eight to 15.

The 64-year-old denied 48 charges against him but was found guilty of 36. The jury, which reached deliberated for four days, was unable to reach verdicts for seven charges.

During the trial Liverpool Crown Court heard Bennell, who has previously received three jail sentences for similar offences, was a “predatory and determined paedophile”, and a “child molester on an industrial scale”, who groomed his victims and their families.

Victims who had been coached by Bennell said he was treated like a “God” at Manchester City’s Maine Road ground, and had a “power hold” over them as they attempted to pursue career as professional footballers.

He carried out the abuse during trips away, while in his car on the way to training sessions, and at his house, where he had arcade games and kept exotic pets including a monkey and a puma.

Bennell, who is now known as Richard Jones and has had part of his tongue removed due to cancer, appeared in court via a videolink, and declined to give evidence in defence.

He had worked as a junior football coach and a youth scout for clubs including Manchester City, Stoke City and Alexandra Crewe among others. He had also run summer football camps in the UK and US.

The court heard transcripts of police interviews in which Bennell admitted being attracted to teenage boys and said he followed a “grooming process” in order to abuse his victims.

But he denied the allegations made against him, saying the victims were “jumping on the bandwagon” following publicity from his previous convictions.

His barrister described him as a “sitting target” due to his record.

Eleanor Laws QC said: “The defendant is a known target and he coached these boys.

“They know when making allegations, whether truthful or not, that they are making allegations against a convicted paedophile.”

Agencies contributed to this report