Manchester City not liable for harm suffered by eight men who are claiming damages for abuse by paedophile Barry Bennell
- A court heard Man City were not liable for harm suffered by men who say they were abused by paedophile Barry Bennell
- The lead lawyer representing City said the court will have ‘very considerable sympathy’ for the group, who are claiming damages
- Michael Kent QC told the judge those representing the men have ‘not got anywhere near’ establishing City’s liability
- Eight men, now in their 40s and 50s, say Bennell abused them when they were playing schoolboy football
Manchester City are not liable for harm suffered by eight men who say they were abused by paedophile Barry Bennell, a court heard.
The lead lawyer representing the club added that the court will have ‘very considerable sympathy’ for the group, who are claiming damages.
But Michael Kent QC also told the judge that those representing the men have ‘not got anywhere near’ establishing City’s liability.
Manchester City are not liable for harm suffered by eight men who say they were abused by paedophile Barry Bennell
Eight men, now in their 40s and 50s, say Bennell abused them when they were playing schoolboy football for teams he coached in north-west England between 1979 and 1985.
The men claim Bennell, who became a coach at Crewe Alexandra in 1985, was a scout for City during that time and they argue the relationship between Bennell and City was ‘one of employment or one akin to employment’. City bosses deny that claim.
Lawyers are making closing legal arguments at the High Court, with the trial due to end today.
Eight men, now in their 40s and 50s, say Bennell (pictured) abused them between 1979 and 1985