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Ex-football coach Barry Bennell admits seven child sexual offences Ex-football coach Barry Bennell admits seven child sexual offences
(about 2 hours later)
The former football coach Barry Bennell has pleaded guilty to seven child sexual offences. Barry Bennell, the former football coach who is standing trial charged with multiple sex-abuse charges against children, has admitted seven counts of indecent assault against three boys.
Bennell, 63, entered guilty pleas to six counts of indecent assault at the start of his trial at Liverpool crown court. Bennell, who was once the youth-team coach at Crewe Alexandra and previously involved in Manchester City’s junior system, entered guilty pleas to six charges relating to two boys, aged 11 to 14, after appearing via video-link at the beginning of his trial at Liverpool crown court.
A reporting restriction on a guilty plea to a charge of indecent assault entered by Bennell at an earlier hearing was lifted by the recorder of Liverpool, Clement Goldstone QC. At an earlier hearing, Bennell had issued his first guilty plea for indecent assault, committed against another boy, and that can also now be reported after restrictions were lifted by the recorder of Liverpool, Judge Clement Goldstone. The seven charges relates to offences committed between 1981 and 1991.
The former Crewe Alexandra coach is charged with a total of 55 offences, including 42 counts of indecent assault, 11 counts of buggery and two counts of attempted buggery. Bennell has been charged with a total of 55 offences: 42 counts of indecent assault, 11 of buggery and two of attempted buggery, all allegedly happening between 1979 and 1991.
A jury is expected to be sworn in for his trial on the outstanding charges later on Monday. He denies 48 counts relating to 11 complainants, aged eight to 15. The prosecution is due to begin its case on Tuesday in a trial scheduled to last eight to 11 weeks.
The charges relate to 12 complainants and the offences are alleged to have happened between 1979 and 1991, when the alleged victims were boys aged between eight and 15.
Bennell entered the pleas when he appeared via videolink in court wearing a grey jumper.
The seven charges Bennell admitted relate to three victims and happened between 1981 and 1991, when they were aged between 11 and 14.