Former football coach admits child sex offences

Former football coach Barry Bennell has pleaded guilty to seven child sex offences.
Barry BennellBarry Bennell
Barry Bennell

The 63-year-old entered guilty pleas to six counts of indecent assault at the beginning of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

A reporting restriction on a guilty plea to a charge of indecent assault entered by Bennell at an earlier hearing was today lifted by Recorder of Liverpool Judge Clement Goldstone QC.

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The ex-Crewe Alexandra coach is still due to stand trial for 48 offences, including 35 counts of indecent assault, 11 counts of buggery and two counts of attempted buggery.

The charges he will stand trial to relate to 11 complainants and are alleged to have happened in the 1970s and 1980s, when the alleged victims were boys aged between eight and 15.

Bennell appeared in court via videolink wearing a grey jumper.

A jury is expected to be selected for his trial later today.