English Soccer Coach Barry Bennell Passes Away in Prison

Barry Bennell, a former English soccer coach convicted of multiple child sex abuse cases, has passed away at the age of 69 while serving his prison sentence. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed his demise, which took place at Littlehey prison on a Saturday. An investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will follow, as is customary for all deaths in custody.

Tragic End for a Convicted Child Sex Abuser

Barry Bennell’s life has come to a somber conclusion within the walls of a prison. He faced multiple convictions related to child sex abuse, casting a dark shadow over English soccer. The extent of his crimes horrified the nation, earning him descriptions from judges during his trials as “the devil incarnate” and “a parent’s worst nightmare.”

Health Struggles Behind Bars

In 2020, during his last sentencing, the court learned of Bennell’s health challenges. He had suffered a detached retina following an attack in prison and had battled cancer, which was in remission at the time. Bennell’s legal woes began in 1994 when he was incarcerated in Florida for the rape of a British boy during a soccer tour. He subsequently faced imprisonment in Britain in 1998, 2015, 2018, and 2020.

This news marks the closing of a distressing chapter in English soccer, though the repercussions of Bennell’s actions continue to be felt within the sport.