Statement by lawyer after former football coach sentenced to four more years in jail for sexual abuse

A former football coach who is already serving a 30-year prison sentence for child abuse has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexual abuse of two more complainants, one of whom is represented by Leigh Day lawyers.

Barry Bennell, aged 66 and also known as Richard Jones, is a former coach for Crewe Alexandra FC and also worked as a scout for Manchester City Football Club. 
 
On 31 July 2020, Bennell pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences, three counts of buggery and six counts of indecent assault at Chester Crown Court in relation to two complainants between 1979 and 1988. The victims were aged between 11 and 14 at the time.

Bennell, who appeared by video-link from HMP Littlehey, Cambridgeshire, where he is currently serving a 30-year jail sentence after being convicted of 52 child sexual offences in 2018, was told by the Judge Patrick Thompson that the sentence would be served consecutively to his current prison term, meaning a total sentence of 34 years in custody, with an additional two years on licence, it is reported by Press Association.

Leigh Day lawyer Andrew Lord, who represents one of the complainants, said:
 
“Today’s sentence reflects the gravity of Barry Bennell’s horrendous crimes of abuse. He took advantage of children with dreams of playing football professionally, and this being his fifth prison sentence once again shows just how prolific an abuser he was. I hope that today’s sentence provides survivors with some closure and acknowledgement that the appalling abuse which they were subjected to should never have happened.”