By Tim Parsons-
Barry Bennell was jailed for 31 years for abusing 12 young footballers he coached and ruining their lives in the process.
Bennell has already served three jail terms, amounting to 15 years for similar offences involving 16 other victims.The judge said half of the 30-year term will be served in custody with the rest on licence, with an additional licence period of one year
The 64 year old former Crewe Alexandra coach and Manchester City scout was branded ”the devil incarnate” as a judge convicted him at Liverpool Crown Court of 50 child sexual offences committed between 1979 and 1991.
Bennel was convicted of offences against 12 boys, but a further 86 complainants that later came forward raised his victims to over 100.
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DEGRADING
Judge Clement Goldstone QC, said: “Your behaviour towards these boys in grooming and seducing them before subjecting them to, in some cases, the most most serious, degrading and humiliating abuse was sheer evil.”
He said Bennell had appeared to his victims as a god but added: “In reality, you were the devil incarnate. You stole their childhoods and their innocence to satisfy your own perversion.” He added that Bennell was “hell bent” on abusing boys, and left a “trail of psychological devastation”.
“If the boys tried to resist you convinced them their football careers would suffer,” the judge said.
Bennell shook his head as the judge at Liverpool Crown Court detailed his horrific crimes.
Some of his victims spoke of feeling suicidal; two of them said they felt unable to have children after suffering abuse.
As his victims revealed their horrifying ordeal in the hands of this monster, some of his victims admitted having to use drink and drugs to escape the mental anguish they suffered in later years.
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After reading out his impact statement, police detective, Gary Cliffe, one of Bennell’s numerous victims who waved his anonymity, walked towards the dock asking: “Barry, Barry, why?” Bennell remained silent.
SUFFERING
Judge Goldstone said Bennell’s abuse had destroyed the enthusiasm his victims had for playing football and had led to them suffering problems including suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, and depression.
He said: “Each has suffered and now, more than 30 to 35 years after you ruined these boys’, now mens’, lives, continues to suffer.”
Barry Bennell has already served three jail terms, totaling 15 years, for similar offences involving 16 other victims.
During his six-week trial, the defendant was said to have committed “industrial scale” levels of abuse against vulnerable pre-pubescent boys in his care.
His victims said he had a “power hold” over them as they dreamed of becoming professional footballers.
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