Paedophile Barry Bennell (pictured) has lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his 30-year prison sentence for child sex offences
Paedophile Barry Bennell has lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his 30-year prison sentence for child sex offences.
The former football coach’s bid to challenge the length of his jail term was heard this morning by three judges in London.
The former Crewe Alexandra coach was imprisoned in February after he was convicted of 50 offences committed against 12 boys between 1979 and 1991.
Bennell’s appeal case was listed under his new name, Richard Jones, and was heard by Lady Justice Hallett, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith and Mr Justice Choudhury.
During his six-week trial, Bennell, 64, was said to have committed ‘industrial scale’ levels of abuse against vulnerable prepubescent boys in his care.
Complainants told how he had a ‘power hold’ over them as they dreamed of becoming professional footballers.
Labelling him ‘the devil incarnate’, Judge Clement Goldstone QC told him he would serve half of the 30-year term in custody with the rest on licence.
He was also ordered to serve an additional licence period of one year.
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 previously served three jail terms, totalling 15 years, for similar offences involving 16 other victims.
Bennell attended Liverpool Crown for sentencing but appeared via videolink from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes for the duration of the trial due to health problems.
Eleanor Laws, defending, said Bennell had suffered from cancer in the past and had operations to remove tumours from his tongue in 2004 and 2016.
Bennell was also on anti-anxiety medication, the court heard.
Miss Laws told the court that this meant his time in custody would be ‘less comfortable and more difficult’ than someone without all those concerns.