Bennell sex abuse trial date set

Ex-football coach Barry Bennell will stand trial over alleged child sex offences in January next year. The 63-year-old is charged with 42 counts of indecent assault, 11 counts of serious sexual assault and two attempted serious sexual assaults.

The charges relate to 12 complainants – who were all aged 8-15 – and allegedly happened between 1979 and 1991.

Mr Bennell denies the charges he faces and the trial is set to last eight weeks, Liverpool Crown Court heard. A former Crewe Alexandra coach, Mr Bennell also had a close association with Stoke City and Manchester City during his career.