Football coach Barry Bennell charged with EIGHT sex offences against boy under 14

FORMER football coach Barry Bennell has been charged with eight sex offences against a boy aged under 14.

The Crown Prosecution Service says the ex-Crewe Alexandra coach, 62, allegedly carried out the offences between 1981 and 1985.

He will appear at South Cheshire Magistrates Court on December 14.

Cheshire police handed over a dossier of evidence in September relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse involving Bennell.

Officers were seen removing bags of evidence from Bennell’s home in Milton Keynes, Bucks.

A CPS spokesman said: “Following a review of the evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, Mr Bennell, 62, has today been charged with eight offences of sexual assault against a boy under the age of 14.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Bennell will now begin and that he has a right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Five of the charges related to the alleged indecent assault on the boy. He has also been charged with two counts of inciting a boy under 14 years of age to commit an act of gross indecency, and one count of assault with intent to commit buggery.

Bennell was taken to hospital on Friday after being found unconscious in a hotel room in Stevenage.

Police have refused to confirm whether he has been discharged or remains in Stevenage’s Lister Hospital receiving treatment.

Bennell was a coach at Crewe. Manchester City and Stoke, as well as junior teams in north-west England and the Midlands.

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