Ex-footie coach ‘abused boys at pro league club’
He was with Crewe Alexandra
ON BENNELL’S ROLE AS COACH
Bennell in shot from 2016 A PAEDOPHILE footie coach abused two terrified boys in the changing rooms of a professional club, a court heard.
Former Manchester City scout Barry Bennell is accused of carrying out hundreds of sex attacks on boys as young as eight who dreamed of being stars.
They allegedly took place at his home, his car, a Butlin’s camp and the ground of Crewe Alexandra, where he was a coach.
Two boys were attacked in the changing rooms, it is claimed.
And when another threatened to tell of his abuse, Bennell allegedly said: “Nobody would believe you. I’ve got people playing professional football now that I’ve done these things to. You’re nothing.”
Bennell, 64, was called a “predatory and determined paedophile” as he went on trial for 48 charges, accused of sexually abusing 11 children, aged eight to 15, between 1979 and 1990.
Prosecutor Nicholas Johnson QC told Liverpool crown court he had a “predilection” for “pre or peri-pubescent boys”. He added that Bennell “had pretty much unfettered access to young lads who dreamt of a life in professional football” and won the trust of some parents, who let their kids stay at his home.
At one point, he owned a video shop in Furness Vale, Derbys, and lived in a flat above – where he would show horror films to scare victims before offering comfort and then abusing them.
One victim was allegedly abused at Butlin’s in Pwllheli, North Wales. Another claimed Bennell would put bank notes in his underpants to entice them.
And he also had a game called Follow Me, in which boys would mirror his actions while he increased degrees of intimacy to see if they would be compliant to abuse, the court heard.
Before the trial began Bennell, who has changed his name to Richard Jones, admitted indecent assaults on three boys of 11 to 14 between 1981 and 1991.
Bennell appeared via video link from jail as he has cancer and is fed by tube. He denies 48 charges. The trial continues.
He had... unfettered access to large numbers of young lads who dreamt of pro football NICHOLAS JOHNSON QC