Former Preston footballer who was abused by paedophile coach urges victims whose cases were dropped 'not to give up'

Ex PNE reserve David Lean, who lives in Preston, suffered horrific abuse at the hands of paedophile football coach Barry Bennell.

The Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel (CSARP) - a joint enterprise between the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) - looks again at cases where a victim feels the decision to take no further action in an investigation is unjust and would like the result to be reconsidered.

After a decision was made not to investigate the case, David, who grew up in Lytham,referred his case to CSARP in 2013. The panel made the decision for police to reinvestigate, which resulted in Bennell being charged.

In April 2015, Bennell pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a male under the age of 14, and two counts of enticing a boy under the age of 14 to commit an act of gross indecency. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment for these offences.

He said: "It’s so important to get the message out to these brave survivors who took the difficult step to disclose sexual abuse they suffered as children to police only for so many cases to get dropped.

"The panel gives a fresh look at these cases with more knowledge, awareness and experienced eyes. I fully support the fantastic work it’s doing.

The panel, which was set up in June 2013, considers whether the approach taken by the police or CPS was wrong and advises whether the allegations should be reinvestigated or reviewed.

If the decision is made to reinvestigate or review the case, it will be referred back to the police force or CPS area from where the case originated for them to decide on the action to be taken.

If the panel agrees with the original decision to take no further action, the victim or survivor is informed by letter with specialist help and support provided or signposted. There is no appeal point beyond the panel.

Since being set up, 184 cases have been referred to CSARP, with 143 cases reinvestigated by the police or reconsidered by CPS.

No further action was taken in 20 cases, and in 21 others the victim 'disengaged' with the panel.

It has emerged 29 cases resulted in a charging decision, 21 in a conviction and 14 remain live investigations.

44 cases had no further action taken and 35 are recorded as either having insufficient details, no further action due to the victim disengaging with the investigation or are recorded as unknown.

David added: " I believe also that if the panel had not reviewed my own case in September 2013 the prosecution guidance would never have been changed, Barry Bennell would never have been convicted and the abuse within football scandal would never have started. It’s that important to get the message out. "