A former football coach who was arrested in Stevenage last year after being found unconscious in a hotel in the town has been charged with 55 child sex offences.
Barry Bennell – known by some as Richard Jones – was taken to Stevenage’s Lister Hospital after being found unconscious by police at the town’s Novotel Hotel in November last year.
He was later arrested and charged with eight child sex offences.
On Friday the previously convicted paedophile appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where he was charged with 55 child sex offences and will now stand trial on January 8 next year.
Bennell, 63, appeared via video link from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, where he spoke only to confirm his name and to say that he could hear proceedings clearly.
The charges which relate to 12 alleged victims were read out to him one by one.
The former Crewe Alexandra, Manchester City and Stoke City youth team coach is faced with charges which relate to individuals aged between eight and 15. The charges - which date from 1979 and 1991 - include buggery, attempted buggery and similar offences.
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