Who is Barry Bennell? Biography, Wiki
Barry Bennell‘s Death Announcement and Obituary: Former Football Coach Convicted of Child Sex Offenses Passes Away in Prison.
He is a former football coach convicted of multiple child sex offenses and has passed away in prison at the age of 69. He was serving a 34-year sentence for the abuse of young boys he had coached during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
Age
He was born on 25 December 1953.
Short Bio And Some Quick Facts
| Complete Name | Barry Bennell (also known as Richard Jones) |
| DOB | 25 December 1953 |
| Date of Death | 16 September 2023 |
| Job/Business | Former football coach and scout |
| Clubs | Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City, Stoke City, Derby County, Leeds United, Milton Keynes Dons |
| Convictions | More than 50 child sex offences against at least 14 boys |
| Sentence | 34 years in prison |
| Cause of Death | Unknown (Possibly Cancer) |
| Place of Death | HMP Littlehey, Cambridgeshire |
A History of Crime and Abuse
Bennell, also known as Richard Jones, served as a youth coach for Crewe Alexandra and worked as a scout for Manchester City. He exploited his position of trust and authority to groom and sexually abuse numerous aspiring young footballers, many of whom were under the age of 14.
His victims endured abuse at his residences, where he had arcade games and exotic pets, including a puma and a monkey. He also abused them during trips and in his car while traveling to and from training sessions. In 1994, he even raped a British boy during a football tour in America, resulting in his imprisonment in Florida.
His crimes first came to light in 1997 when one survivor, Andy Woodward, bravely came forward and reported Bennell to the police. Woodward later revealed his identity and shared his traumatic experience publicly, inspiring many other survivors to do the same. Bennell faced five separate trials in the United Kingdom between 1998 and 2020, leading to over 50 convictions for offenses ranging from indecent assault to buggery. While he admitted to some charges, he denied others and forced his victims to relive their horrors in court.
A judge described him as “the devil incarnate,” and a prosecutor labeled him responsible for “industrial sexual abuse of boys.” Bennell exhibited little remorse for his actions and claimed to be the target of a witch-hunt.
Barry Bennell’s Obituary and Cause of Death
Bennell passed away at HMP Littlehey, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The Prison Service confirmed his death, and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation, as is customary for all deaths in custody.
The specific cause of his death has not been disclosed, but it is known that he battled cancer for several years. He underwent surgeries to remove tumors from his tongue in 2004 and 2016, although he was reported to be in remission in 2020.
Additionally, he suffered a detached retina following an attack by another inmate while in prison. He reportedly remained isolated from other prisoners for his safety and spent the majority of his time in his cell.
Diverse Reactions from Survivors and Society
Bennell’s death has evoked a range of responses from his survivors, with some expressing relief, anger, or indifference. David Lean, who endured abuse from Bennell after meeting him at Butlin’s holiday park in Pwllheli, North Wales, stated that he was “glad” to learn of Bennell’s passing.
Lean commented, “It’s sort of happened in the way I wanted it to happen because I wanted him to go to prison for a period of time. I just hope that the last 10 years have been as difficult as possible.”
He added, “I appreciate he’s got children – and ultimately my thoughts are with his children today – but my thoughts are also with the many survivors because of the pain he has put everybody through.”
The Offside Trust, an organization founded by survivors of child sexual abuse in sports, including some former footballers victimized by Bennell, acknowledged his death. A spokesperson emphasized, “We are thinking of all the brave survivors, those who felt they could speak out, and those who still cannot.”
The spokesperson also encouraged anyone affected by Bennell or any other abuser to seek support and justice, stating, “We at the Offside Trust understand the issues this may trigger for survivors and are here for everyone should they need us. Please don’t suffer in silence.”
Bennell’s death has also raised questions about the accountability and responsibility of the football clubs and authorities that employed him or failed to intervene. Several survivors have filed or are pursuing negligence or breach of duty lawsuits against Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City, and the Football Association.
Some have accused the clubs of concealing or disregarding Bennell’s misconduct, while others claim that they were not adequately safeguarded or supported by the FA. The FA initiated an independent review into historical child sexual abuse allegations in football, led by Clive Sheldon QC, with the expectation of publishing its findings soon, as indicated by various online sources.
A Legacy of Pain and Resilience
Bennell’s demise marks the conclusion of a dark chapter in British football history, yet it does not signify the end of the suffering or the quest for justice on behalf of his victims. His crimes have left enduring scars on numerous individuals and families, as well as on the sport and society as a whole.
Nevertheless, his passing also underscores the bravery and determination of those who survived his abuse and spoke out against him, despite the stigma and challenges they encountered. Their testimonies exposed a culture of silence and complicity that permitted Bennell and other predators to operate with impunity for decades.
Their voices have inspired and emboldened other survivors of child sexual abuse, both within and outside of sports, to come forward and seek assistance and healing. Their narratives have also increased awareness and instigated reforms aimed at preventing and protecting children from such abuse in the future.
Although Bennell is no longer here, his legacy endures, encompassing both the pain he inflicted and the courage he ignited.
