After being groomed at a holiday resort, Barry Bennell was a victim of paedophile coach football. He has now received a five-figure settlement.
David Lean (53), first met the child predator in Pwllheli in north-west Wales in 1979.
Bennell, then 11, said that he ‘worked his magic’ on Mr Lean and his father. So after spending a week together, the two exchanged their addresses, became pen friends, and later returned to each other for another trip.
After being convicted for dozens of sexual offenses against boys aged under 18, Bennell was sentenced to a 34 year prison term. He then invited Mr Lean over to his house to spend two nights and attend an FA-endorsed training session.
The coach abused Mr Lean while he was at his home.
David Lean, 53, has secured a five-figure settlement from the former owners of Butlin’s after he was groomed by paedophile Barry Bennell in 1979
Barry Bennell, a notorious paedophile (pictured), has been convicted of dozens of charges of sexual abuse of young boys during his time as a coach of football between the 1970s to 1990s.
Bennell was sentenced to two years imprisonment in 2015 for abusing Mr Lean. However, the law firm Slater and Gordon brought a civil suit on behalf of the victim against Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh Limited (previously known as Butlin’s Limited), who claimed that the company was responsible.
“I have struggled for many years for justice for the things that happened to me when I was a child to this monster,” Mr Lean stated.
“It became very important that I also ensure that Bennell was held responsible for the abuse of boys by all who were involved in his creation.
“Lessons need to be learned to avoid the abuse of future generations. Nobody should have to look blindly at the consequences.
“While I never experienced sexual abuse at Butlin’s, my abuser was able to use them as a gateway to my family and myself in order for him later access when I am abused.
Bennell suffered from abuse for more than two decades, until a young boy in 1994 accused him of sexual violence.
Kim Harrison, the lead lawyer representing Mr Lean said she was “delighted” to have reached a five-figure settlement.
She stated that Barry Bennell was an apropos paedophile, who made use of his Butlin’s position to get married and abuse the client.
We reached out to Rank Group, the owners of Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh Ltd.
Bennell, a former football coach, used his authority to bully young boys starting in the 1970s. In 1992, Bennell joined the Staffordshire Stone Dominoes team as their head coach after stints at Leeds United, Crewe and Stoke City.
Bennell was at the Stone Dominoes when his offending came to light. A 13-year old player had accused Bennell of sexual abuse on a 1994 United States tour.
Bennell was arrested in Jacksonville, Florida, and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to six charges of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behaviour.
Bennell didn’t serve the full sentence. However, he was arrested immediately upon his return from England after revealing sexual abuse in 1996 Dispatches document.
He was accused of a series of sexual assaults on and charges of buggery against nine- to 15-year-old boys. The case led to Bennell being convicted in 1998 of 23 sexual assaults and counts of buggery against boys aged nine through 15.
Pictured: Barry Bennell at an American Court in 1995. He pleaded guilty six charges of sexual assault.
The CPS chose not to make victims go through the pain of giving evidence in a trial, so 22 more charges were filed.
Bennell’s tale did not stop there. After he moved to Milton Keynes in 2015 and claimed to be Richard Jones, he was once again detained for his abuse against Mr Lean. He received a sentence of two years.
In 2016 and 2017, other historic offenses against boys were discovered. This culminated in an arrest at Liverpool Crown Court on January 2018.
Bennell, who was accused of seven offences against children aged between 1981-1985, pleaded guilty at the beginning. However, a jury indicts him for 43 additional charges. He was sentenced to 31 years in jail for the 50 charges against him. The remainder of his time will be served on license and prison.
Pictured is Bennell during 1980s football coaching peak, when his crimes were at their highest
In October, eight men in their 40s and 50s filed a civil suit against Manchester City, alleging that Bennell had abused them.
Even so, evidence continued to mount of Bennell’s sexual abuse of young boys.
Bennell, who pleaded guilty to nine additional offences between 1979-1988 at Chester Crown Court in July 2020 was sentenced to four more years. This brings his sentence total to 34 years.
Eight men in their 50s and 40s took legal action against Manchester City last October, claiming Bennell had abused them while they were youth soccer players more than 30 decades ago. Manchester City denies Bennell was an employee during the alleged abuse.