Predator Bennell faces more time in jail

PAEDOPHILE BARRY Bennell is facing an extended jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to nine more sexual offences.

The 66-year-old former Crewe Alexandra coach, also known as Richard Jones, entered the pleas yesterday at Chester Crown Court by video link from HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire.

The serial sex predator admitted three counts of a serious sexual assault and six of indecent assault in relation to two complainants between 1979 and 1988.

The victims were aged between 11 and 14 at the time.

Bennell, who used to work as a scout for Manchester City, is serving a 30-year prison sentence after being convicted of 50 child sexual offences in 2018.

Yesterday’s case was adjourned until October 5 for medical reports on the defendant to be prepared.

Bennell is serving his fourth jail term, having previously been sentenced for similar offences involving 16 other victims.

The latest charges were brought by the Crown Prosecution Service after lawyers reviewed a file of evidence from Cheshire Police relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse.

After the hearing, a spokesman for the NSPCC said: “Although Bennell is already serving a long prison sentence for his awful crimes, these latest guilty pleas show that further victims should not be deterred from coming forward and seeking justice.

“Their bravery cannot be understated and we would urge anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to speak out, no matter when it happened.”