Dad of England legend on child rape charges

One of four alleged victims just 8

AN England football legend’s dad has been charged with raping and sexually abusing four children as young as eight.

Prosecutors say the man, now in his 70s, repeatedly attacked two girls under the age of 13 and two under 16 during the 1970s and 1980s.

He denied nine historical sex abuse charges at a court hearing earlier this month. The defendant was granted bail and is due to stand trial at crown court in August. If convicted, he could face a maximum life sentence.

His former Premier League and England footballer son, who the Daily Mirror has chosen not to name, did not respond when contacted.

The man, speaking at his home, said of the allegations: “It never happened.”

He is charged with four counts of rape, one attempted rape, three indecent assaults and one serious sexual assault. One girl is said to have been under 13 when she was raped by him at least 10 times, starting when she was eight.

He is also accused of indecently assaulting her at least 10 times over the same period and sexually abusing her when she was an adult.

A second girl was under 16 when she says she was raped “on at least 10 separate occasions” by the man in the late 70s. The third was 12 or younger when she was allegedly raped by him in the early 80s. His final alleged victim was under 16 when, she says, he indecently assaulted her once in the mid-70s.

A source said: “Everyone is shocked. He is denying the claims.”

More victims have come forward to report historical abuse since the scandals surrounding Jimmy Savile and the abuse of youngsters in football.

They are thought to be more confident of being believed and more resources have gone into investigations.