Police twice asked Gary Speed if he was sex abuse victim
Parents reveal he was quizzed in Bennell inquiry Coach found guilty of 43 offences against kids
TRAGIC football star Gary Speed was spoken to by police investigating Barry Bennell.
After the pervert was convicted of 43 sex assaults, Gary’s mum Carol said: “He was interviewed
BARRY Bennell’s victims have told how their lives were destroyed by the pervert as he preyed on innocent youngsters.
The former youth players have been tormented for decades by their horrific experiences at the hands of the vile ex-coach. And after he was convicted of 43 child sex assaults and rapes yesterday, they accused football chiefs of turning a blind eye to the abuse. Former Crewe player Micky Fallon, who was coached by Bennell, said: “We were little boys with a dream and our innocence was shattered. Our dreams turned into the most horrendous nightmare. For decades that nightmare has haunted us. For decades we held our silence just like our abuser told us to.
“We are no longer afraid of you, Barry Bennell. Today justice was done and you no longer have any power over us. You are nothing to us.”
Steve Walters also played for Crewe – and he laid part of the blame for the catalogue of abuse at football authorities. He said: “For years, hundreds of us were groomed in plain view.
“Lavished with gifts and designer sports kit and taken on trips all around the world.
“How can it be that no one realised something was wrong? How is it that no one protected us then?
“We suffered because of a disgusting predator but also sometimes because the sport we loved decided that the reputation of a coach, club or a sport was put above the protection of children. We suffered because of a culture of complacency and cover-up.”
Former Sheffield United and Crewe star Andy Woodward waived his anonymity in 2016 to speak about 64-year-old Bennell’s abuse, sparking a wave of fresh complaints to police.
The 44-year-old said outside Liverpool crown court after the pervert was convicted of sexual assaults on 11 boys aged eight to 15: “I do believe that the football clubs were accountable for this, that they could have stopped this for so many years and so many of us, and some aren’t even still with us now, and that could have been stopped.
“The FA have been very quiet and I hope now they will do something that they have been promising to do for 15 months.”
Another victim, Ian Ackley, 49, added: “He abused me more than 1,000 times. He raped me more than 500 times from the age of 10 to 14.
“I would say he was worse than Jimmy Savile.” Ex-Manchester City
youth player Chris Unsworth was also a victim. Others who have made allegations include former England star David White, Steve Walters and youth player Jason Dunford – who claimed the pervert attacked him but he managed to fight him off.
Jason has said: “Savile looks like a choir boy compared to him.”
Bennell, who had already admitted seven indecent assault charges, shook his head as the guilty verdicts were announced. He has had mouth cancer and part of his tongue was cut out. The self-confessed abuser looked frail and sick when he appeared in court via a video link from prison.
Police are said to be investigating a further 86 alleged victims and it is feared that many more have still not come forward. Bennell has showed no remorse.
Detective Inspector Sarah Oliver said: “The only person for whom Barry Bennell does anything is Barry Bennell.” The pervert, of Milton Keynes, Bucks, is now likely to die in prison after he is sentenced on Monday. The police investigation into him is one of the biggest ever into child sex abuse in the UK.
The FA, which is investigating claims of non-recent child sex abuse, said: “We want to acknowledge the traumatic experience the victims and survivors have endured at the hands of this individual, and the bravery they have shown in coming forward.”
Solicitors firm Slater and Gordon is representing victims of Bennell.
Lawyer Kim Harrison said: “This paedophile systematically abused vulnerable boys to satiate his warped desires. Serious questions need to be asked about how he was allowed to carry out years of abuse on so many boys in plain sight.” Bennell has had three spells in prison for attacks on boys, dating back to
1995 in America.