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      Ex-Everton star who had child sex case dropped could soon make international return, manager says

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      A FORMER Everton star could return to his international team after child sex offences were dropped against him.The Premier League star, who can’t legally be named, was held by police in July 2021 before being released on bail.
      The player could return to an international level
      Police revealed last week he will face no further action after the case was dropped.
      His international manager has now hinted at the player making a return if he wished to return to the club.
      He told local media: “He will have to decide for himself whether he wants to return to football and play again.
      “If he does, he will obviously be in my plans, if he maintains the same standard.
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      “We are very happy because his name has been cleared and these two years must have been hell for him.”
      The manager also branded his player a “nice boy” as he revealed he “felt for him” during the ordeal.
      Police were scrambled to the star’s home in July 2021 where “several items were seized”.
      Everton confirmed he had been suspended while police investigated the allegations.
      Most read in Football
      In a previous statement, they added: “The Club will continue to support the authorities with their inquiries and will not be making any further statement at this time.”
      The alleged offences were described as “very serious” with a probe led by Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team.
      It was then confirmed in February that the Crown Prosecution Service were probing whether or not to charge the International star.
      A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police told The Sun Online last week: “The investigation team and Crown Prosecution Service have been working together and reached the decision that the evidence available at this time does not reach the threshold set out on the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
      “Greater Manchester Police is committed to investigating allegations to secure the best possible outcomes for all involved and will continue to work with partner agencies to ensure individuals are supported throughout investigations and beyond.”
      Everton said previously the player had been suspended pending the probe More

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      Shocking moment boozy ex-Premier League star CRASHES his Land Rover through wall of a Co-op ‘after 10 pints’

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      THIS is the shocking moment a former Premier League star crashes his Land Rover through the wall of a Co-op, having sunk as many as 10 pints.Dad-of-three Danny Graham, who started his footballing career with Middlesbrough FC, was nearly three times the legal limit when he drove his 4×4 on November 4, 2022.
      The doors of the Co-op go flying as the Land Rover crashes through the shop entrance
      Debris can be seen littering the shop floor
      Graham during his playing days with Sunderland ini a match against Bristol Rovers in September 2020Credit: Rex
      The 37-year-old from Wynyard, County Durham, said he “can’t remember” why he got behind the wheel having drunk “up to 10 pints”.
      Graham, appearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Friday, pleaded guilty to drink driving.
      CCTV footage has now been released showing the moment that the former striker smashed through the store front of the Co-op in the village.
      The shocking smash happened just over a minute after a customer had left the shop with their dog, the court heard
      Read More on Danny Graham
      Footage shows the doors flying open as smashed glass and debris litter the shop floor.
      Graham, who also had stints at Watford, Swansea and Blackburn Rovers, said at the hearing he had been playing golf before going to a friend’s house to have some drinks.
      He has now been banned from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order in which he must carry out 180 hours unpaid work.
      Graham was also handed a 90-day alcohol ban, which will be monitored by a tag that can detect even a “small glass of sherry”.
      Most read in Football
      He must also pay a surcharge and costs of £199.
      Chairman of the bench Nigel Guerin warned him he would be jailed if he flouted the driving ban, saying: “You are a well-known person and a lot of people in Wynyard will know you.
      “If you get behind the wheel of a car I’m sure someone will get in touch with the police.”
      The court was told the forward was breathalysed at hospital after the crash.
      He was found to have 230mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.
      The shop had to close for five days and stock worth more than £5,000 was damaged – with a total loss of around £32,000.
      Michael Lawson, prosecuting, said: “Luckily, no-one was injured as a result of this collision.”
      The court was told Graham had never been arrested before the “unwise incident”.
      Veteran striker Graham began his playing career at Middlesbrough in 2004 where he scored one goal in 15 appearances for the club.
      After spells on loan at Leeds United, Darlington, Derby County and Blackpool, he signed with Carlisle in 2007.
      He spent two years at the club and scored 29 goals before moving to Watford.
      Graham left the club for then-Premier League side Swansea in 2011 and made 54 appearances before his three-year stint at Sunderland.
      Read More on The Sun
      He left the Black Cats in 2016 and spent four years with Blackburn Rovers where he netted 45 goals in 158 appearances.
      Graham returned to Sunderland in 2020 before retiring from professional football a year later.
      Danny Graham’s Land Rover can be seen wedged in the Co-opCredit: NNP
      Graham has been banned from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order in which he must carry out 180 hours unpaid workCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Brit footballer who was friends with Maradona was found dead after leaving worrying notes

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      A BRIT footballer who was friends with Maradona was found dead after leaving worrying notes, an inquest has heard.Martyn Gilson-Clarke, 42, moved to join Diego Maradona’s club in Argentina after the Falklands War – and was taken to dinner by the ‘Hand of God’ superstar.
      An inquest heard Martyn Gilson-Clare committed suicide at homeCredit: Facebook
      Martyn was part of the Falkland Island National team and also played in Argentina
      He was found dead in his flat in Cheltenham Road, Gloucester, on 14th December last year, the inquest was told.
      Assistant Gloucestershire Coroner Roland Wooderson said Mr Gilson-Clarke had left notes that “seem to indicate his wish to take his own life.”
      He recorded a suicide conclusion.
      Mr Gilson-Clarke, whose father was a Royal Marine who fought in the South Atlantic conflict, was a teenager living on the islands – known as Malvinas to the Argentinians – when he left in 1999 to play for Argentina’s Boca Juniors team.
      MORE ON MARADONA
      There he met Maradona, who took him out for a pizza and even lent him his phone so Martyn could call his Mum.
      Last week’s inquest heard that Mr Gilson-Clarke had not been seen for six days before December 14 so the landlord of his ground floor flat went to make a welfare check on him. 
      He found the door locked and was unable to get any response.
      The landlord used his key to gain entry to the flat and found Mr Gilson-Clarke on the floor of his bedroom.
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      Post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Gilson-Clarke had taken a variety of drugs and alcohol prior to death, the coroner said. 
      The cause of death was given by the pathologist as ashyxia.
      There were no friends or relatives of Mr Gilson-Clarke in attendance at yesterday’s inquest and no evidence was given about his background, employment or family life.
      However, an obituary in an Argentinian newspaper told of his exciting career in football.
      It states Mr Gilson-Clarke was born in England and moved with his family to the Malvinas Islands at a very young age. 
      After standing head and shoulders above the rest while playing football on the island, he headed to mainland Argentina in 1999, when he was 19 years old, to train at Boca Juniors.
      The day he arrived, he went straight from the airport to the club and was invited by Maradona to watch a match in his VIP box. 
      Later, at a pizzeria, Maradona lent him his mobile phone. 
      Mr Gilson-Clarke told journalists: “I called my mum. 
      “I said: ‘Guess where I am?'”
      In 2002 Gilson-Clarke returned to the UK and played between 2002-2004 for Brentwood FC.
      You’re Not Alone
      EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
      It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
      It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
      And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
      Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
      That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
      The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
      Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
      If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

      CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
      Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
      Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
      Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
      Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
      Movember, www.uk.movember.com
      Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm

      A police report to the Coroner said Mr Gilson-Clarke was lying on his back when he was found. 
      There was no indication of any third party involvement in his death and there were no suspicious circumstances.
      Police were able to confirm identification of Mr Gilson-Clarke’s body from his driving licence, which was in the flat.
      The Coroner said “I have seen a number of notes which were left. I understand what is said in those notes. I don’t intend to go through them in any detail.”
      Read More on The Sun
      He concluded “It is clear on the evidence that on December 14, 2022, Mr Gilson-Clarke was found deceased at his home address. D
      “Notes left by the deceased seem to indicate his wish to take his own life. The approproate conclusion on the balance of probabilities is that of suicide.” More

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      Ex-Everton star considering legal action after being told he won’t be charged with child sex offences

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      AN ex-Everton footballer arrested on suspicion of child sex offences is considering taking legal action against the police after being told he won’t be charged following a two-year investigation.The former Prem star, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was nicked in July 2021 at the £3million mansion he shared with his partner and young family.
      The footballer was held on suspicion of child sex offences
      Cops raided his property in Cheshire after receiving a complaint relating to a young girl a month earlier.
      The player, who always maintained his innocence, was suspended by the Blues while the police investigation was carried out.
      He spent 21 months under a cloud of suspicion before being told earlier this week he faces no further action.
      Now his lawyers have revealed he is considering launching a lawsuit after his life was placed on hold for so long.
      Read More on Everton
      At the time of his arrest, an Everton spokesman said: “Everton can confirm it has suspended a player pending a police investigation.
      “The club will continue to support the authorities with their inquiries and will not be making any further statement at this time.”
      He is no longer at Everton after his contract ran out.
      A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said: “The investigation team and Crown Prosecution Service have been working together and reached the decision that the evidence available at this time does not reach the threshold set out on the Code for Crown Prosecutors.”
      Most read in Football
      Everton said previously the player had been suspended pending the probe More

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      Premier League star Jesse Lingard to face trial after ‘giving fake name’ to cops over driving offence

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      PREMIER League star Jesse Lingard is set to stand trial after he allegedly gave a fake name and address to cops when he was caught speeding.Lingard, 27, has been charged with failing to provide information about who was driving his Range Rover.
      Jesse Lingard is facing trial for allegedly lying to copsCredit: Reuters
      Lingard in a Range Rover car driving to football training in 2018
      The Nottingham Forest ace allegedly gave cops the name of a man who “doesn’t exist” along with an address which is “believed to be a car park”, a court heard.
      His case was heard for the first time at Stockport Magistrates Court yesterday – however, the former England international was not present.
      His lawyer entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
      The court heard the Range Rover Sport was picked up by a camera allegedly exceeding the speed limit on the A56 in Trafford in August last year – but that the driver was never stopped or spoken to.
      MORE ON LINGARD
      Mike Arden, prosecuting for Greater Manchester Police, said the force “wrote to Mr Lingard at his then home address in Altrincham” with a notice of intended prosecution and a notice requesting the details of who was driving.
      He said the notice “made it clear that the individual it was addressed to was to respond” and that “they are not to pass it on to anyone”.
      Around two weeks after Mr Lingard was written to, a nomination was made online “by someone appearing to be Mr Lingard”, Mr Arden said.
      It claimed the person driving was a George Bolt who lived at an address on Pretoria Road in Oldham, he continued. 
      Most read in Football
      Mr Bolt was written to and no response was received, the court heard. 
      Mr Arden said: “That’s not a surprise because he doesn’t exist. We’re quite certain about that.”
      He said the force’s central ticket office had identified the name as “linked to a so-called NIP farm.”
      Mr Arden added checks were carried out and GMP were “satisfied George Bolt doesn’t exist at that address.”
      He said: “We’re not even sure the address exists, we think it is a car park.
      “Therefore the nomination of Mr Bolt was inaccurate and misleading and prevents police getting to the bottom of who was driving the Range Rover.”
      Frank Rogers, representing Mr Lingard said: “Mr Lingard will say he never saw the notice of intended prosecution and never had any dealings with it.
      “It was dealt with by a third party who processed it in the way that has been alleged, without his knowledge, without his authority and certainly without his approval.
      “The first he knew about it was the court papers around charging him (for this offence).” 
      “He simply never received it. It’s essentially a simple trial issue” he added. The trial has been listed for July 28.
      Read More on The Sun
      The charge carries a maximum penalty of six points on your driving licence and a fine of up to £1,000. 
      Mr Lingard’s case was one of around 20 heard at the courthouse on Friday following an investigation into the so-called ‘NIP farms.’ More

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      Former Premier League star admits ploughing Land Rover into Co-op store while 3 times over the drink-drive limit

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      A FORMER Premier League star mounted the pavement and ploughed into a Co-op while three times over the drink-drive limit.Ex-Sunderland striker Danny Graham was driving his Land Rover through the exclusive Wynyard Estate in County Durham when the horror unfolded.
      Danny Graham’s Land Rover can be seen wedged in the Co-opCredit: NNP
      The footballer has admitted drink-drivingCredit: Reuters
      Graham, 37, mounted the kerb before smashing the flash motor into the village Co-op store.
      Shocking pictures showed the 4×4 wedged in the front of the shop, which suffered substantial damage.
      Graham, who also had stints at Middlesbrough, Watford, Swansea and Blackburn Rovers, today admitted drink-driving.
      He has now been banned from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order in which he must carry out 180 hours unpaid work.
      Read more on the Premier League
      Graham was also handed a 90-day alcohol ban, which will be monitored by a tag that can detect even a “small glass of sherry”.
      Chairman of the bench Nigel Guerin warned him he would be jailed if he flouted the driving ban, saying: “You are a well-known person and a lot of people in Wynyard will know you.
      “If you get behind the wheel of a car I’m sure someone will get in touch with the police.”
      Teesside Magistrates’ Court was told the forward was breathalysed at hospital after the crash in November last year.
      Most read in Football
      He was found to have 230mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.
      The shop had to close for five days and stock worth more than £5,000 was damaged – with a total loss of around £32,000.
      Michael Lawson, prosecuting, said: “Luckily, no-one was injured as a result of this collision.”
      The court was told Graham had never been arrested before the “unwise incident”.
      Veteran striker Graham began his playing career at Middlesbrough in 2004 where he scored one goal in 15 appearances for the club.
      After spells on loan at Leeds United, Darlington, Derby County and Blackpool, he signed with Carlisle in 2007.
      He spent two years at the club and scored 29 goals before moving to Watford.
      Graham left the club for then-Premier League side Swansea in 2011 and made 54 appearances before his three-year stint at Sunderland.
      He left the Black Cats in 2016 and spent four years with Blackburn Rovers where he netted 45 goals in 158 appearances.
      Read More on The Sun
      Graham returned to Sunderland in 2020 before retiring from professional football a year later.
      The crash caused an estimated £32,000 lossCredit: NNP
      Graham was three times the drink-drive limitCredit: Rex More

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      Formula 1 motor racing apprentice killed on ‘one last ride’ with girlfriend before putting motorbike away for winter

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      A PROMISING Formula 1 racing apprentice was killed during “one last ride” with his girlfriend before putting it away for winter, an inquest heard.Daniel Cracknell, 20, who worked as an engineer for the prestigious racing team Williams, lost control of his bike on a sharp bend in Grove, Oxfordshire, and fell into the path of an oncoming van.
      Daniel Cracknell died after losing control of his motorcycle in November last yearCredit: Hyde News & Pictures
      He worked as an apprentice engineer for F1 team WilliamsCredit: Hyde News & Pictures
      He suffered severe brain injuries and died in hospital on November 13 last year, just over a week after the smash.
      The inquest into his death, held in Oxford, heard that he was a well-respected member of the Williams team, which he joined as an apprentice straight from school.
      Colleagues at Williams paid tributes to him and the team sent a message of condolence at the time of his death.
      The flag at the team’s HQ in Grove flew at half-mast and team members wore black armbands at that year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
      READ MORE ON FORMULA 1
      Daniel’s girlfriend, Lois, who was riding pillion on his Suzuki SCV650 at the time of the fatal crash, said that they had bonded over a shared love of bikes.
      She added that the young engineer told friends he was taking the bike out for “one last ride” before putting it in storage for the winter.
      Senior coroner for Oxfordshire, Darren Salter, heard that the couple took a route that was “normal” for them and were heading for home when the tragedy occurred.
      The driver of the van reportedly swerved to avoid Daniel, but was unable to do so, leading to both Daniel and Lois being “flung off into the verge”.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Lois said that she was “fully conscious” but cannot remember coming off the bike, only hitting the ground and trying to find her partner before they were both rushed to hospital.
      Police investigators told the hearing that Daniel’s licence meant he was only qualified to ride motorcycles with up to 30KW of power.
      However, he had removed the restrictor on his machine, which had a power capacity of 50KW, while an app on Lois’ phone suggested that their top speed on the day of the crash was up to 94mph.
      Thames Valley Police concluded in their investigation that the loss of control should be attributed to rider error.
      The coroner returned a verdict of a road traffic collision and said that the medical cause of death was a traumatic brain injury.
      He said: “On the balance of probability a combination of the wet road and the speed, leading to a loss of control attributed to rider error and leading to an accident, a tragic accident, resulting in the loss of Dan and injuries to Lois as well.
      “I have heard that he was generally careful and a very good driver and I don’t doubt that for a moment.” More

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      Trio of armed thugs who attacked brothers of Marcus Rashford & Trent Alexander-Arnold in terrifying raid are jailed

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      A TRIO of armed thugs who attacked the brothers of Premier League stars Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcus Rashford in a terrifying raid have been jailed.Tariq Dervan, Romario Harmer and Talleko Lemonious attacked Dane Rashford and Tyler Alexander-Arnold at a Manchester café.
      Marcus Rashford, right, and brother DaneCredit: instagram/Marcus Rashford
      Tyler – brother of Liverpool star Trent – was smacked in the head with a baseball bat so hard the handle broke off.
      While Man Utd ace Marcus’ brother Dane “feared for his life” after a shotgun was pointed at his face.
      The masked raiders then made off with a £70,000 Range Rover and jewellery including a £20,000 Rolex.
      Both men were struck to the head with the bat and needed stitches after the raid, Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester was told.
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      Tariq Dervan, 22, Romario Harmer, 21 and Talleko Lemonious, 28, had denied involvement.
      But after a trial in January each of them was convicted by a jury of five counts of robbery and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon.
      Passing sentence, Mr Recorder Peter Horgan said: “This was clearly a brazen and planned robbery in broad daylight.”
      Dervan, from Staffordshire, was jailed for five-and-a-half years; and Harmer, from Old Trafford, Manchester, for four years.
      Most read in Football
      Lemonious, from Wythenshawe, was also sentenced for possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition linked to an unrelated crime.
      He was jailed for 18 years in total.
      Earlier, Stephen McNally, prosecuting, told the court the victims had been having breakfast with three other friends at the Little Rock Caribbean Café in Moss Side, Manchester, on the morning of January 12, 2019.
      They intended to drive to Brighton to watch a Liverpool football match later that day.
      But all five were robbed after the trio burst in shouting “get your watches off”, as café staff fled in terror.
      The robbers fled in the Range Rover – but it was fitted with a tracker and the trio were arrested by police an hour later at a house around two miles away in Fallowfield, south Manchester.
      At the house, police found items stolen in the robbery, including watches and wallets, along with ski masks.
      The sawn-off shotgun was found hidden in a nearby bush which had Harmer’s DNA on.
      Tyler and his brother Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: Tyler Alexander-Arnold /Twitter More