FORMER England star Paul Stewart has told how he was sexually assaulted by a trusted youth coach when he was a child.
The ex-Spurs and Liverpool player said the pervert vowed to make him a star before launching a campaign of sick sexual abuse when he was aged between 11 and 15.
Paul, 52, kept the horrific abuse hidden from everyone, including his family, for more than 40 years.
But the brave England star tonight broke his silence to tell how he was targeted by his trainer in the hope more victims would come forward.
Paul claims he was assaulted every day for four years and that his tormentor got away with it because he threatened to kill his relatives if he ever told anyone.
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Paul spoke out after reading about Andy Woodward, 43, who was abused as a young footballer at Crewe Alexander by predator Barry Bennell, 61, in the 70s and 80s.
He told the Daily Mirror the abuse started when he was travelling in his coach’s car one day when he was aged just 11.
The abuser, who cannot be named, threatened Paul, telling him he would kill his family if he told.
Paul, who waived his right to anonymity despite his ordeal, claims: “One lad in the team, he made him and I perform sexual acts on him.
“Another lad who was four years older than me told me he was abused.
“He told me that later when we met as adults.
“The mental scars led me into other problems with drink and drugs.
“I know now it was a grooming process.
“The level of abuse got worse and worse.”
Paul noticed some youngsters would refuse to travel in the car with the coach to games.
Paul says the sickening assaults robbed him of his childhood and as an adult he struggles to show affection.
Paul’s coach worked with children over a number of years and the star fears there could be dozens of other victims.
Paul finally escaped the clutches of his alleged abuser at the age of 15, signing for Blackpool, where he made his professional debut at 17.
He added: “It will be hard for those closest to me.
“People may point fingers, it is part of being a public figure.
“But I owe them.
“My girls and my son have seen the issues I have had.”
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