Barry Bennell sentenced to fifth jail term for sexual offences against boys

Serial paedophile was already serving 30-year sentence

An undated photo of paedophile Barry Bennell (PA)

Former football coach Barry Bennell has received a fifth jail term for sexually abusing boys, adding another four years to the 30-year sentence he is currently serving.

The 66 year-old, who appeared via videolink from prison in Cambridgeshire, was given the new sentence by Chester Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty in July to nine offences against two boys in the 1970s and 1980s.

The latest judgement comes two years after the former Crewe Alexandra coach, who is also known as Richard Jones, was convicted to 30 years in prison for 52 sexual offences.

At Bennell’s sentencing, Judge Patrick Thompson said he “grossly abused” his respected position “to use those boys as your sexual playthings”.

The judge added: “These were children whose parents trusted and respected you, when you were in fact a parent's worst nightmare.

"That, I'm afraid, is your legacy and changing your name will not change that.”

It is thought that Bennell could have committed sexual offences against more than 100 people, after 86 complainants came forward after the 2018 trial.

However, dozens of these alleged victims will not have their complaints addressed in court, as Chester Crown Court heard that this will be his final trial.

Reacting to the news, Gary Cliffe, who used to play youth football for Manchester City, said he was “devastated” by the decision.

Mr Cliffe, who Bennell was convicted of abusing in 2018, added: “We need to have a conversation about mass reporting and how every person gets their day in court."

Detective Inspector Sarah Oliver, who investigated dozens of complaints with the Cheshire Police, said: “Anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse does deserve to have their day in court, they do deserve justice, but because of the number of individuals Barry Bennell abused that has just not been possible in this particular case.”

“I hope that they can see this as a vicarious justice,” she added.

After being jailed in Florida in 1994 for raping a boy during a football trip to the US, Bennell was sentenced in the UK in 1998, 2015 and 2018.

Additional reporting from PA