Barry Bennell, the former football coach convicted of child sex offences, passed away in prison from natural causes while battling cancer, a coroner has concluded.
Bennell, 69, was found deceased in his cell at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire, where he was serving a 34-year sentence.
Despite being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2004 and experiencing a recurrence in 2016, his health deteriorated further when he was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsils in 2023.
The coroner noted that Bennell was in significant pain, managed by palliative care, and his communication was limited to writing due to his condition.
Despite experiencing chest pain and a decline in speech, Bennell chose to return to prison from hospital against medical advice shortly before his death.
The coroner emphasized that Bennell’s medical care was deemed to be of a high standard. The cause of death was attributed to bronchopneumonia, with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx cited as a contributing factor.
The coroner concluded that Bennell’s passing was due to natural causes, with no foul play suspected.