Football
ESPN staff 6y

Barry Bennell found guilty of more sex abuse charges involving 10 victims

Former football coach Barry Bennell was found guilty of sexually abusing more young players at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.

Bennell, who has previously received three jail sentences for offenses against children, was found guilty of fresh sex charges linked to 10 complainants.

The former Crewe coach was convicted of a total 27 counts of indecent assault, seven counts of buggery and two counts of attempted buggery, involving 10 child victims between 1979 and 1990.

The jury will return on Wednesday to deliberate on charges involving an 11th complainant and three other counts involving other complainants.

There were originally 48 counts on the indictment. The jury was ordered to return not guilty verdicts on three of those. Two other counts were alternative charges so they will not now be dealt with.

The latest case against the 64-year-old Bennell was sparked by some former players waiving their right to anonymity to speak publicly in 2016.

Boys coached by Bennell told the trial how he had a power hold over them as they dreamed of becoming professional players.

Before the trial started Bennell pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault involving three boys, two of whom were part of the trial.

Information from Press Association and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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