Police investigating claims former footballer Paul Stewart was abused

One of the victims of the child abuse scandal has spoken to police and provided them with the name of the coach who he alleges abused him.

Former England, Tottenham and Liverpool footballer Paul Stewart has waived his right to anonymity and told ITV News that detectives from Greater Manchester Police are investigating claims he was abused as an 11-year-old.

Mr Stewart said he was playing for a Sunday league team in Manchester when his sexual abuse began.

He said: "I know for a fact my abuser has not been named yet, and that has been done for legal reasons.

"There was unspeakable things happening, not just to me, but to other players prior and after me.

"Today I've spoken to police who have opened a formal investigation surrounding this abuser as a result of my interview [with them] this morning."

The 52-year-old says the abuse lasted for four years and "played a major part of my life".

"[I've gone through] years of hell really, and it wasn't just the abuse that was the hell. It was the subsequent [years] having to deal with it, getting older.

"I turned to drink and drugs as a way to block it out."