FORMER FOOTBALL COACH Barry Bennell has been charged with eight offences of child sexual assault, Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service confirmed on Tuesday.

Bennell, 62, faces five separate charges of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14, two charges of inciting a boy under the age of 14 to commit an act of gross indecency, and a charge of assault with intent to commit buggery.

“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,” a CPS spokesperson said.

“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 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.”

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