100 Bennell victims may be denied prosecutions

Around 100 potential victims of Barry Bennell are likely to be denied justice after a judge suggested that further prosecutions would not be in the public interest.

Judge Clement Goldstone QC said as he jailed the paedophile football coach, 64, for 30 years on Monday that prosecutors must “consider carefully” whether there remained “a continuing public interest” in pursuing new charges.

The CPS said: “We have noted the judge’s comments in this case.”

Ian Ackley, who waived his anonymity in 1997 to reveal he was abused, said: “I don’t think it will happen. Bennell is behind bars now and unlikely to see the light of day.”