Speed among abuser’s trainees who took lives

Gary Speed was one of four footballers coached by Barry Bennell who went on to take their own lives, a court has heard. A man whom Bennell admitted abusing in 1998 told Liverpool Crown Court that he tried to contact the parents of Speed, who hanged himself in 2011, to tell them about the abuse.

GARY SPEED was one of four footballers coached by Barry Bennell who went on to take their own lives, a court has heard.

A man whom Bennell admitted abusing in 1998, when he was jailed for nine years, told Liverpool Crown Court that he tried to contact the parents of Speed, who hanged himself in 2011 aged 42, to tell them about the abuse.

The victim said: “Four people from teams I have played with, with Bennell, have taken their own lives.

He added: “Whether they have taken their lives due to Barry solely, I don’t know, but all I know is how it’s had an impact on me and how it could impact on other people: when people are breaking down on the phone, when people are on the verge of suicide, when you hear of people who have taken their own lives.”

The victim – who gave evidence from behind a screen – had said in court earlier this week that Mr Bennell told him “nobody would ever believe me” if he spoke out about the alleged abuse. “He said this had happened to players playing professional football.”

The victim said he had wanted to get in touch with the parents of Speed – who played for clubs including Leeds and Newcastle and managed the Welsh national side – after reading that they had not been able to get closure because they had no explanation for their son’s death. The man told the court he knew of former youth players who had been left “destitute” and with alcohol problems after suffering abuse.

Asked about claiming compensation, he told the court: “I know personally, for me, it’s about justice.

“I’m sick to death of this being part of my life and I just want to put it to bed once and for all.”

The court also heard that the alleged victim believed Ken Barnes, who was Manchester City’s chief scout, had known about the abuse.

The man, against whom Bennell has admitted one count of indecent assault, said he played for one of the junior Manchester City teams and was abused by Bennell more than 100 times over a four-year period.

The court heard he thought Barnes, who played for the club from 1950 to 1961 and died in 2010, and Mike Grimsley, who managed a Manchester City youth team, had known about the abuse carried out by Bennell. He said: “I want an apology off Manchester City and anyone else, if possible.”

The court heard that the man applied for compensation after Bennell pleaded guilty to offences in 1998 and, after rejecting two higher offers, he was awarded about £2,000. Asked if he was aggrieved about being awarded a smaller amount, he said: “I have been aggrieved for 38 years, £2,000 or £3,000 makes no difference at all.”

Bennell denies 48 offences of child sexual abuse against 11 complainants between 1979 and 1990.