Child sexual abuse in football: Barry Bennell victim Gary Cliffe says sufferers are being failed by criminal justice system

Child sexual abuse in football: Barry Bennell victim Gary Cliffe says sufferers are being failed by criminal justice system
As one of many, many victims of convicted sexual abuser Barry Bennell, Gary Cliffe has had to be patient in his fight for justice. But he fears numerous others will never find the same from a criminal justice system that cannot cope.Cliffe, who spent time in Manchester City’s junior teams as a child, was sexually abused by Bennell on the Maine Road pitch, and later, after Bennell left the club to work for Crewe, in his own bed as the now jailed coach was invited by Cliffe’s parents to stay round his house.Cliffe was one of Bennell’s victims who waived their anonymity to discuss the abuse he suffered after Andy Woodward’s interview with The Guardian in 2016.4

Andy Woodward’s emotional interview was the first of many which revealed the extent of Bennell’s abuse

The victims’ brave fight for justice has hit the headlines again, with Manchester City announcing a plan to compensate victims of child sexual abuse as part of a redress scheme.City’s review into Bennell’s actions also uncovered ‘serious allegations of child sex abuse in respect of another individual, John Broome’, according to a club statement.Despite City’s intentions to compensate victims, Cliffe has still not been approached by the Premier League club with offers, and he does not know of any victims to have been paid as of yet.Its a little bit sensationalist the figures that have been bandied about,” Cliffe told talkSPORT. “As far as Im concerned City have done a marvellous thing in terms of taking responsibility and accepting culpability.They were there throughout the trial every day, so Im delighted about that.

My football dreams were shattered by Barry Bennell – BBC News, my storey. https://t.co/PAMUchVKyP— gary cliffe (@garycliffe1) September 29, 2018

But this is still very much ongoing and there have been no offers, as such, for damages. But it is a start.As far as Im concerned no one has received a penny; I havent received a penny of damages.I think the main thing is its brilliant they [Man City] are speaking to us, which is in stark contrast to other clubs. Cliffe appears to be referring to Crewe when hitting out at ‘other clubs’ for their failure to work with victims. The Gresty Road club are not accepting liability for the crimes Bennell committed while working for them, and the club’s lawyers wrote to one victim to say there is ‘no reasonable explanation or justification’ for waiting as long as he did to report the abuse.4

Barry Bennell was jailed for 31 years for 50 counts of child sexual abuse last February

It is believed Crewe are tying to get Steve Walters’ legal case against the club thrown out on a technicality.Manchester City deserve praise for their willingness to interact with victims, Cliffe continues.I started this way back in 2015 and Ive had to be very patient. These things take time, just like the trial did.But it is great that they are finally sitting up and taking responsibility.They should be applauded for that.”4

Steve Walters (centre) was abused by Bennell while playing for Crewe in the 1980s – he is fighting a legal battle with the club for compensation

But, while City are actively helping the survivors of historical child sexual abuse, there is little hope for a number of victims when it comes to finding justice on legal grounds.Cliffe reveals almost 100 victims are still waiting for justice ‘through the criminal process’, and he advocates a change in the criminal justice system’s approach to mass reported cases.There are over 90 lads still waiting for justice through the criminal process,” he continued, “and my thoughts are with them.4

Cliffe bravely spoke out about the abuse he suffered in an interview with The Guardian

Theyll probably never get justice, which is an absolute scandal.Im a massive champion for changing mass reporting cases with the criminal justice system; as it stands at the moment it simply cannot cope and we do not have the wherewithal to sort this out.We need to sort this mass reporting out.

---

Newcastle United team news: Antonio Barreca on the bench as Rafa Benitez sticks with midweek winners. Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez brings Antonio Barreca into the squad but there's no
Why Antonio Barreca will help Newcastle United survive relegation

---

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is charged by the FA for kicking a bottle which hit a Brighton fan towards the end of Wednesday's 1-1 draw.

---

Arsenal should drop Petr Cech for Bernd Leno in Europa League

---

Fulham completed the double signing of Liverpool's out-of-favour winger Lazar Markovic, in a free transfer, and Hoffenheim's Norwegian midfielder Havard Nordtveit, on loan, late on transfer
Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic and Hoffenheim midfielder
sportsalert.org/2019/02/01/liverpool-winger-lazar-markovic-and-hoffenheim-midfielder-havard-nordtveit-join-fulham-on-loan/
DOUBLE SWOOP The Cottagers confirmed the Markovic deal almost 90 minutes after the January transfer window closed Fulham completed the double loan signing of Liverpool's out-of-favour winger Lazar Markovic and Hoffenheim's Norwegian midfielder Havard Nordtveit late on transfer deadline day.
The Latest: Fulham signs winger Markovic from Liverpool

---

'It felt like a derby again': Tottenham defender Eric Dier insists football needs fiery games following full-blooded north London showdown. Tottenham and Arsenal did battle in a fiery north London
Mauricio Pochettino warns Tottenham fans to behave against

---

Previous Post Previous post: 'Somebody kick him' - Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Seaman reveals thoughts before Ryan Giggs scored FA Cup semi-final goal for Man United Next Post Next post: Former CNN Kenyan reporter Soni Methu dies on way to hospital
LIVE Arsenal FA Cup News | One News Page

---

Manchester united fc team news: predicted xi to face everton in the premier league.
Man United vs. Southampton: Premier League - Preview and

---

The Football Association are reviewing allegations Chelsea made illegal payments to the father of Andreas Christensen when they signed the defender from Brondby in 2012.Documents first revealed by

---

Arsenal have suffered a major injury blow after scans confirmed Rob Holding will be out for up to nine months with a cruciate knee ligament injury. The 23-year-old was stretchered off in the first
Rob Holding powers through leg exercises as injured Arsenal

---

Transfer Talk: Chelsea given £30m price tag for Bayern Munich's Mats Hummels. Blues could be set to offload Italy international . Callum Hudson-Odoi to Bayern Munich -- 4.2
Bayern Munich 'Absolutely Want to Sign' Chelsea's Callum

---

Championship round-up: Derby seize control of final play-off spot, Rotherham relegated after heartbreak at West Brom, plus more fpnews April 28, 2019 0 Derby edged closer to the Championship play-offs with a vital 2-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Bristol City.
Canaries clinch promotion back to the Premier League - Fussboll

---

Your defence is terrified! Sunderland clinch last-minute transfer to sign striker Will Grigg from Wigan for £4m The Black Cats have handed Will Grigg a three-and-a-half-year contract
Billy - Page 3 - sharpeze.com

---

Premier League title winner predicted: talkSPORT assesses Liverpool and Manchester City's run-ins Wednesday, 13 March 2019 Neither Manchester City nor Liverpool flinched at the weekend in the battle to win the Premier League title.
Manchester City FC | Official Website, Latest News, Players

---

The final match of the month for Liverpool was an away trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League group stages. The hosts went ahead through a goal from Juan Bernat, followed by a goal from Neymar to double the lead for the hosts.
il Mago reborn: the Herrera (5-3-2) challenge - FMM Vibe

---