Following on from my previous Blogs in February and April of this year, it has now been reported that convicted paedophile Barry Bennell has lost his appeal to have his lengthy prison sentence reduced.
This will obviously be a massive relief to his many victims who continue to suffer the effects of his crimes which include suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, and depression with many of them having difficulties in forming/maintaining successful relationships or holding down a job.
The former Crewe Alexandra youth coach and Manchester City scout was jailed in February 2018 after being convicted of 52 counts of indecent assault against 12 boys.
Despite his lawyers submission that custody would be “more difficult” for Bennell due to his poor health, Lady Justice Hallett, sitting alongside two other judges dismissed this, stated that “it would be wrong for the court to interfere with the sentence given the huge scale of his offences”. The Judge rightly acknowledged the fact that “his offending amounted to a gross abuse of trust” and that “the consequences for the victims and their families were appalling”
This is not the first time that Bennell has served time in custody for child sexual abuse offences. He has previously served three jail terms, totalling 15 years after being convicted for similar offences involving 16 other victims. Reports indicate that there may have more than 100 victims in total as an additional 86 complainants have come forward to disclose abuse by him. An investigation by Cheshire Police is ongoing.
Farleys specialist abuse team act on behalf of many victims who have been abused by Barry Bennell and other football coaches. If you have suffered abuse recently or historically and would like to talk to specialist in abuse claims in the strictest confidence, please call 0330 134 6430 or email us here.
