Former football coach Barry Bennell has pleaded not guilty to 20 charges of historic child sexual abuse against four boys in the 1980s.<\/p>\n
The 63-year-old appeared via videolink from prison at Chester Crown Court.<\/p>\n
Mr Bennell had already denied eight of the offences but entered not guilty pleas again as 12 further charges were added.<\/p>\n
He was a youth scout and junior football coach associated with a number of clubs, most notably Crewe Alexandra.<\/p>\n
The charges include 14 counts of indecent assault, five counts of serious sexual assault and one count of attempted serious sexual assault.<\/p>\n
The alleged offences took place between 1980 and 1987 and involved four complainants who were boys under 16 at the time.<\/p>\n
The case was adjourned to 3 July when a hearing will take place at Liverpool Crown Court.<\/p>\n
Judge Roger Dutton said a trial was likely to be listed for January in Liverpool.<\/p>\n
Mr Bennell was remanded in custody.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source\u00a0 www.bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"