Ex-football coach denies abusing boys

A FORMER youth football coach denied 20 charges of sex abuse yesterday against boys as young as eight.

Barry Bennell, 63, a coach at Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City and Stoke, faces 14 indecent assault charges, five of buggery and an attempted buggery against four boys aged eight to 15.

The alleged attacks took place between 1980 and 1987 in Derbyshire and North Wales. At Chester Crown Court yesterday, Bennell was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until July 3 for a pre-trial hearing at Liverpool Crown Court.