The former England footballer Andy Carroll has denied breaching a non-molestation order by allegedly repeatedly calling his former wife. Carroll, a former striker at Premier League sides Newcastle and Liverpool, indicated a not guilty plea to the charge at Chelmsford magistrates court on Wednesday.
Carroll is charged with breaching the order made by the family court at Chelmsford justice centre by allegedly repeatedly calling in March last year Billi Mucklow, who has featured on reality TV show The Only Way Is Essex.
The 37-year-old Carroll, who plays for the National League South club Dagenham & Redbridge, played nine matches for England between 2010 and 2012, scoring twice, including one goal at Euro 2012.
Wearing a green coat and using crutches with a foot brace on his left foot, Carroll spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth at the brief hearing. Asked whether he would like to be tried in a magistrates or crown court, Carroll said: “Crown please.”
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District Judge Roy Brown bailed Carroll and he will next appear at Chelmsford crown court on 4 March. Judge Brown told Carroll: “Your next appearance at court will be at Chelmsford crown court on 4 March for a plea and trial preparation hearing. On that occasion you will be asked to enter a plea, if it remains a not guilty plea then arrangements will be made for a trial.”
Carroll, asked by a court clerk whether he would like to sit rather than stand, said: “I’m OK, I’ll stand.”
He began his professional career with Newcastle before transferring to Liverpool for £35m in 2011, later playing for West Ham, Reading and West Brom.
