Ex-coach Bennell facing 21 new sexual assault charges on boys

LONDON: Former Crewe Alexandra youth coach Barry Bennell has been charged with 21 new sex offences against boys as young as 14, British prosecutors said Tuesday.

The 6 3 - year- old has now been charged with a total of 41 offences relating to eight male complainants over a period from 1980 to 1991.

“Today, former professional football coach Barry Bennell was informed that he has been charged with 21 counts of nonrecent sexual assault on boys aged between 14 and 16 years of age,” the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said in a statement.

“These are 18 counts of indecent assault, two counts of buggery and one count of at tempted buggery.”

The offences relate to four complainants, and are alleged to have taken place between 1983 and 1991.

Bennell, who is currently in custody, is due to appear via videolink at South Cheshire Magistrates Court in northwest England, on May 17.

Last month, Bennell appeared i n court to deny the initial 20 charges of indecent assault, buggery and attempted buggery against four young boys.

One of his alleged victims was aged between 11 to 12 at the time, and claimed Bennell indecently assaulted him.

During his football career, Bennell also worked as a coach for Manchester City, Stoke City and junior teams in northwest England and the Midlands. — AFP

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