Barry Bennell: Ex-football coach and paedophile pleads guilty to nine sexual offences

Former Crewe Alexandra coach and Man City scout currently serving 30-year sentence for 50 child sexual offences

Bennell admitted nine offences including indecent assault (BBC)

Former football coach and serial paedophile Barry Bennell has pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court to nine sexual offences across a nine-year period.

Also known as Richard Jones, the 66-year-old former coach for Crew Alexandra admitted to nine offences in relation to two complainants between 1979 and 1988.

Bennell, who also once served as a scout for Manchester City, entered the pleas at court via video-link from HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire, where he is serving a 30-year sentence after being convicted of 50 child sexual offences in 2018.

The latest case was adjourned for medical reports on the defendant to be prepared.

Judge Patrick Thompson said his decision on Bennell’s punishment would take into account how his 2018 sentence would have been impacted by an additional two complainants.

Adjourning the case to 5 October, he added: “It is important the two victims have the opportunity to come to court.”

However, Eleanor Laws QC, defending, asked that Bennell not be required to attend court in person for his sentencing due to his health.

She said: “Notwithstanding that these are serious matters, and ordinarily one would expect his attendance, he is, as your honour might know, not very well.

“Even if there were not a pandemic, he is vulnerable in terms of his health.”

In response Judge Thompson said he would allow Bennell to attend by videolink.

He told Bennell: “You have pleaded guilty to very serious matters. You will receive a custodial sentence, the length of that is to be determined by me.”

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 CPS after it reviewed a file of evidence from Cheshire Police relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse.

Additional reporting by Press Association