Charges relate to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse of a boy under the age of 14

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The former football coach Barry Bennell has been charged with eight offences of sexual assault against a boy under the age of 14, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

Bennell, 62, had been under investigation by detectives from Cheshire police. The offences are alleged to have been committed between 1981 and 1985.

Bennell is due to appear at South Cheshire magistrates court on 14 December.

In a statement the CPS said: “On 27 September 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence from Cheshire police relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse involving a former football coach, Barry Bennell.

“Following a review of the evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, Mr Bennell, 62, has today been charged with eight offences of sexual assault against a boy under the age of 14.”

The offences Bennell has been charged with include five counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14, two counts of inciting a boy under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency, and assault with intent to commit buggery.

Given recent media coverage of claims of child sexual assault in football, the CPS asked for restraint and said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Bennell will now begin and that he has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”