FORMER football coach Barry Bennell has admitted nine sexual offences at Chester Crown Court today.

The serial paedophile, who has been previously convicted of child abuse on four separate occasions, appeared in the court via video link to enter pleas to the nine counts.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of buggery and six counts of indecent assault in relation to two complainants between 1979 and 1988. The offences include one count of buggery and six counts of indecent assault in relation to one victim and two counts of buggery in relation to the second victim.

The boys were aged between 10 and 14-years-old at the time of the offences, which date back to the 1980s.

Bennell, who worked as a coach at Crewe Alex and at Manchester City, is currently serving a 30-year jail sentence after being convicted of 50 child sexual offences in 2018.

Det. Insp. Sarah Oliver, who has led the case, said: "Barry Bennell has pleaded guilty to a number of sexual offences, sparing his victims the trauma of having to re-live what happened to them during a trial.

"This would undoubtedly have been a very difficult and upsetting experience for them. I hope that this decision will help to provide some closure after so many years of pain trying to deal with and make sense of what happened to them.

"Bennell abused his position of trust as a football coach for his own sexual gratification. He was highly regarded in his field and took advantage of this by preying on these two young boys at a time in their life when he knew they were vulnerable and dreamt of making it in the world of professional football.

"He knew exactly what he was doing was wrong but carried on regardless.

"Anyone who has suffered from sexual abuse – whether it took place recently or many years ago – should never feel ashamed about talking about what has happened to them. Help and support is available to those who need it. I commend the victims for their bravery and courage in this case and would like to thank them for their support throughout the investigation."

Chester Crown Court was told that medical reports needed to be prepared on Bennell, 66, who has also been known as Richard Jones, and the case was adjourned for sentencing on October 5.

Bennell was also convicted of child abuse in the UK and in the US in 1995, 1998 and 2015.