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    Aldi worker faces being ONLY woman in Britain to banned from ALL footie grounds after hurling flare onto pitch

    A FAN who hurled a flare onto the pitch faces being the only woman in Britain banned from all footie grounds.
    Abbie-Leigh Reay, 23, threw the missile towards the ref when her team Tranmere went 3-0 down in a League Two fixture against Forest Green.
    Abbie-Leigh Reay faces being the only woman in Britain to be banned from all football grounds
    She was caught on CCTV as she threw her arms up in celebration.
    Police later stopped the Aldi worker as she was leaving Tranmere’s stadium following her team’s 4-0 defeat in January.
    At Sefton magistrates’ court, Reay, of Bebington, Merseyside, denied throwing a missile onto a football playing area.
    But she was convicted and could be banned from visiting any UK sports ground. She will be sentenced this month.
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    Benjamin Mendy ‘rape victim’, 19, recalls through tears ‘moment she woke to him on top of her after going to bed alone’

    ONE of Benjamin Mendy’s alleged rape victims tearfully told detectives how she woke up with him on top of her after going to bed alone. The then-19-year-old said she had been drinking champagne with the Manchester City footballer, 28, and his pals at a nightclub before heading to his Cheshire mansion.
    Benjamin Mendy arriving at Chester Crown CourtCredit: Andy Kelvin / Kelvinmedia
    The Manchester City footballer is accused of rape, attempted rape and sexual assaultCredit: © Andrew Price / View Finder Pi
    After spending time in the swimming pool, she said she became sleepy and went up to a top floor bedroom at the house in Mottram St Andrew near Prestbury.
    The woman changed out of the bikini she had brought with her and into her underwear and fell asleep, alone, in the double bed.
    In her police interview, played to jurors today at Chester Crown Court, the witness, breaking down in tears, said: “I woke up to find Ben on top of me, but I was on my side.
    “It was horrific, I was on my period.
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    Ryan Giggs seen with new girlfriend for first time after domestic abuse trial for attacking ex Kate Greville collapses

    RYAN Giggs was today spotted with his new girlfriend for the first time since his domestic abuse trial against his ex collapsed.The former footballer, 48, was accused of headbutting Kate Greville, 38, and coercively controlling her over a three-year period.
    Ryan Giggs seen with girlfriend Zara Charles for the first time after his domestic abuse court case collapsedCredit: Splash
    The former footballer and blonde model were seen driving through CheshireCredit: Splash
    Zara out walking the dog on September 3Credit: Splash
    But, after 22 hours and 59 minutes of deliberations, jurors failed to reach a verdict and they were dismissed on Wednesday.
    Giggs, who was warned he may be waiting until June for any future trial, appeared to keep a low profile in the days that followed.
    However, the ex-Wales boss and his new partner Zara Charles were seen going for a drive earlier today.
    Former Manchester United star Giggs looked concerned as the pair travelled through Cheshire.
    READ MORE ON RYAN GIGGS
    Just hours earlier, model Zara, dressed in black joggers and a white vest, took her dog for a walk.
    The couple, who have been dating since at least last year, jetted to Portugal for a holiday just days before his trial began.
    They were spotted soaking up the sun and frolicking in the sea before flying home to face Manchester Crown Court last month.
    Giggs was charged with attacking PR exec Kate and coercive and controlling behaviour against her between December 2017 and November 2020.
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    He denied the charges, as well as an allegation of common assault by beating of Kate’s sister Emma, 26.
    Jurors were unable to reach a verdict and the trial collapsed on August 31.
    A hearing will be held on September 7, which Giggs does not need to attend, but any future trial may not take place until next year.
    During the explosive trial that saw the sports star break down in tears, Kate claimed she became “a slave to his every need”.
    She also said Giggs “made me feel like I had to do what he said, otherwise there were consequences”.
    Emma said her sister was planning to leave him while he was away on touring duties after finding “evidence” he had cheated on her with eight women.
    In later messages read out to the jury this rose to at least 12, and Giggs’ love life was laid bare as he admitted he had never been faithful to any woman, including Kate and ex-wife Stacey.
    Describing the night he allegedly headbutted his then-partner, Emma said there was “physical contact” and “his face was in line with hers”.
    “From her facial expressions I could tell she was in pain,” Emma added.
    ‘GET HIM OFF ME’
    Kate then yelled “get him off me” and he retreated, but he quickly went from “annoyed to extremely angry” and put both his hands on Kate’s shoulders and headbutted her in the lip, the court was told.
    Jurors also heard how the couple exchanged 19,671 messages during their six-year relationship.
    In one, he told Kate: “I’ll stalk you like mad – I’m good at that”, while in another he warned her: “I will come to yours and I will get in.”
    A third read: “I’m so f***ing mad… I am scaring myself. I could do anything.”
    He was also accused of bombarding her with sexual texts and threatening to publicly share X-rated videos of them together if she didn’t reply.
    Others were cringe-worthy poems in which he told Kate she made him “as hard as a totem pole” and praised her legs and vivaciousness.
    Kate said in a police statement, which was read out in court: “He wouldn’t leave me alone.”
    The former Wales boss leaving Manchester Crown CourtCredit: PP.
    The former Manchester United footballer’s ex-girlfriend Kate GrevilleCredit: Refer to Caption
    Giggs was charged with attacking the PR exec and coercive and controlling behaviour against herCredit: Tim Stewart
    Jurors were also told how Giggs is unable to resist an “attractive woman” – regardless of whether he’s in a relationship.
    And he admitted that he lied to former wife Stacey and other girlfriends, including Kate, “many times”.
    Moments after he began giving evidence, Chris Daw QC, defending, asked: “You’re known in news articles as a love cheat. Is that reputation justified?”
    Giggs – who confirmed he’s a “flirt by nature” – replied: “Yes.”
    The barrister said: “In the course of your relationship with women, have you managed to be faithful to any of them?”
    The footballer said: “No.”
    He was also accused of cheating on Kate with a mystery cricketer’s wife, having “full on relationships” with several others, and even plotting threesomes with a woman named Charlotte.
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    Giggs won 64 caps for Wales and had a glittering playing career with Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups.
    He is also a co-owner of League Two side Salford City.
    Kate, 38, accused her former partner of cheating on her with 12 other womenCredit: Jim Clarke – The Sun
    Her sister said she found evidence of him being unfaithful and wanted to leave himCredit: TWITTER/KATE GREVILLE
    Giggs praised his then-girlfriend’s ‘vivaciousness’ in a cringe-worthy poemCredit: Tim Stewart More

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    Ryan Giggs sells £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting former girlfriend Kate Greville

    RYAN Giggs has sold the £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting his former girlfriend.The Manchester United great, 48, managed to offload the Tudor-style pad weeks before he went on trial over the allegations.
    Ryan Giggs has sold the £1.7million mansion where he is accused of head-butting his former girlfriendCredit: PP.
    Giggs is believed to have bought the property in 2001 for £545,000Credit: Neil Jones – The Sun
    A source said: “He just wanted to get rid of it and put it behind him.
    “He loved that place and had owned it for over 20 years but he knew it needed to go.”
    Former Wales manager Giggs is believed to have bought the property in 2001 for £545,000 and his mum lived there for several years.
    He and girlfriend Kate Greville, 38, lived at the five-bedroom house in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, from March 2020 and throughout lockdown.
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    But police were called on ­November 1 of that year following a bust-up and Giggs was taken away in the back of a police van.
    He was accused of attacking Kate and of coercively controlling her for three years.
    His trial ended this week with the Manchester crown court jury unable to reach a verdict.
    Giggs, who will find out next week whether he faces a retrial, put the property on the market on March 31, 2021, but struggled to sell it, even though it had the wow ­factor.
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    The pad has been described as: “An elegant Tudor-style detached home.
    “Located within one of the areas most prestigious and sought after gated developments.”
    A sale was finalised in June, while his trial started on August 8.
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    The house is on the same street as a property he shared with ex-wife Stacey before she learnt of his eight-year affair with his brother Rhodri’s wife and his relationship with Kate.
    He sold it last year for a knockdown £3million — two years after putting it on the market.
    Giggs and girlfriend Kate Greville lived at the five-bedroom house from March 2020 and throughout lockdownCredit: BackGrid
    Giggs will find out next week whether he faces a retrial over allegations made by ex KateCredit: pixel8000 More

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    Speeding ‘drug dealer’ almost knocked over Newcastle United owners during chase with bike outside stadium

    NEWCASTLE United’s owners narrowly avoided a motorbike collision yesterday evening and were “shaken up” by the “scary incident”.Amanda Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi were inches from harm when a high speed scrambler bike ploughed recklessly through terrified football fans at Anfield on Wednesday night.
    Newcastle’s owners Amanda Staveley and husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi narrowly escaped harm last nightCredit: Rex
    Former England defender Danny Mills also witnessed the danger but was unhurtCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Police have now arrested the two men on the motorbike – one a suspected drug dealer thought to be caught up in a chase – but there was chaos and confusion 90 minutes before kickoff yesterday.
    Supporters scarpered at the horrific sight and sound of the oncoming vehicle, fearing for their lives.
    Two balaclava-clad men riding it tore through the throng of spectators arriving ahead of the 8pm Liverpool v Newcastle game, causing fans, including children, to scramble out of its path.
    The ownership party were also in the sea of red and striped shirts filling the pedestrian area of Stanley Park and witnessed the motorcycle whizz dangerously past them.
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    Mehrdad Ghodoussi told Sportsmail: “The bike flew right by us and could have hit us easily. It was a scary incident.
    “Amanda was pretty shaken up but calmed down once we got inside the stadium.
    “Thankfully, it appears serious injuries were avoided. But it could have been far worse, the bike drove straight into the crowd.”
    But not everyone was as lucky as Newcastle’s owners, as the zooming bike hit and injured several people in the crowd.
    Most read in The Sun
    One fan was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, while another supporter, thought to be a middle-aged man, was left in a “bad way” and struggling to breathe, according to a witness.
    Witnesses told how the engine’s loud noise alerted fans to the nearing danger but the crowd was so tightly-packed they couldn’t see it coming. One fan said it was incredible no one was killed.
    Luckily, heroic police managed to knock the thugs from the motorbike before anyone suffered anything worse – or fatal.
    The two men were both arrested at the scene by officers for a handful of offences.
    Merseyside Police confirmed that no members of the public were seriously injured but one of the riders was treated for facial and shoulder injuries after being thrown off the bike.
    A 30-year-old man who was riding the bike was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and suspected theft of a motor vehicle.
    The 23-year-old passenger, also male, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, suspected theft of a motor vehicle and other driving offences.
    The club’s owners weren’t the only famous faces to feel the fear of Wednesday night’s crowd.
    It could have been so much worse.Danny MillsFormer England defender
    Former England defender Danny Mills also escaped being hit in the thick throng of people.
    He said: “I had picked up my media accreditation and was walking back towards the stadium on the corner of Stanley Park when, all of a sudden, I heard this ridiculous motorbike sound.
    “It had squeezed through a gap and into a pedestrian area that was packed with supporters.
    “A couple of people were hit on the way through before the police managed to knock them off the bike. But it could have been so much worse.
    “It was an area full of supporters, including children. They were going at some speed and you really feared for people’s safety.”
    A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: ‘We have arrested two males following an incident outside Anfield stadium on Wednesday August 31, in which a scrambler bike was reported to have been in contact with pedestrians.
    “The scrambler bike, which was being ridden by two males wearing balaclavas, is believed to have been involved in a chase with an electric bike through 97 Avenue and Dahlia Walk, close to Liverpool’s ground, at around 6.30pm.
    “The scrambler is believed to have made contact with a number of pedestrians before being brought to a stop by an officer outside the ground.
    “The stop caused the rider and passenger to fall off and they were both arrested.
    “There are no reports of any members of the public being seriously injured. One of the riders of the bike suffered facial and shoulder injuries and has received medical treatment.
    “The rider of the bike, a 30-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of S5 RTA (drug driving), causing serious injury by dangerous driving and suspected theft of a motor vehicle.
    “The passenger, a 23-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, suspected theft of a motor vehicle and other driving offences.
    “The bike has been recovered and enquiries into the incident are ongoing. The incident has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”
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    The Premier League game ended in a 2-1 victory to Liverpool at their home ground, after securing the most crucial of victories in the 98th minute.
    The Reds had to come from behind after Alexander Isak netted on his Toon debut just hours after being granted a work permit to play the match.
    The match ended in a 2-1 victory to Liverpool at their home groundCredit: Getty
    Luckily the ownership party was unharmed although other fans were not so luckyCredit: Getty More

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    Mourners gather to bid farewell to Tyson Fury’s cousin after Rico Burton, 31, stabbed to death

    MOURNERS have today gathered to bid farewell to Tyson Fury’s cousin after he was stabbed to death. Crowds followed a horse-drawn carriage and other trailers with floral messages for Rico Burton, 31, including one spelling his name and another calling him “BOYO”.
    Mourners have gathered to bid farewell to Tyson Fury’s cousin
    Rico Burton was stabbed last month
    A floral display spells out Rico’s name
    Two mourners arrive to pay their respectsCredit: LNP
    Mr Burton was fatally stabbed outside a bar on Goose Green in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of August 21. 
    Tributes poured in for Mr Burton after his death, led by the boxer’s heavyweight champ cousin Tyson Fury. 
    In his tribute, the boxing champ said: “Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick. Enjoy every moment.”
    The two-time world heavyweight champion, from Wythenshawe, also called for an end to knife crime in a post on his social media channels following his cousin’s tragic death.
    Today, Mr Burton’s family and friends bid him an emotional goodbye during a service at St Michael’s Church in Urmston.
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    Pictures showed mourners arriving for the service earlier on carriages and trailers. One was being pulled by a horse.
    One trailer carried a huge, white floral arrangement, while another carried flowers that spelt out his name. Dozens are expected to turn out to pay their respects to Mr Burton at the service.
    Speaking after Mr Burton’s death, Shaun Egan, who previously coached Mr Burton at Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy, described him as “such a nice lad”.
    Mr Egan said: “He was an absolute talent. He was such a nice lad, he was hard-working and had a great sense of humour.
    Most read in The Sun
    “What’s happened is just awful. He was just a great guy. To hear he has died like this is devastating.”
    Liam O’Prey, 21, of no fixed address, has been charged with his murder and a string of other offences.
    Mr O’Prey appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday charged with Mr Burton’s murder. He faces four counts relating to the same incident.
    Mr O’Prey is accused of murder; unlawful wounding with intention to cause grievous bodily harm; possession of a bladed article; namely a knife; and possession of cocaine. 
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    He could go on trial at the beginning of next year and has been remanded into custody. 
    A 17-year-old was also seriously wounded in the incident and was given life-saving treatment at the scene, police said.
    People walk next to a horse-drawn carriageCredit: LNP
    One message reads ‘rest in perfect peace’
    A horse drawn carriage was used in the procession
    Tyson Fury has called for an end to knife crime More

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    Ex Man United star Gary Neville faces contempt of court action over ‘comment’ made during his pal Ryan Giggs’ trial

    GARY Neville has been referred to the Attorney General after the Ryan Giggs’ trial was delayed following a comment he allegedly made.After Judge Hilary Manley learned of the TV pundit’s statement, the trial was held up legal argument for over an hour.
    Neville has been referred to the Attorney General over his commentsCredit: Getty
    Giggs and Neville were both members of the famous Class of ’92Credit: PA
    It is understood that Neville, 47, insists he was speaking about the directors of their former club, Manchester United.
    Neville’s agent Di Law told the Daily Mail: “Gary is absolutely adamant that this was not about the case, but was referring to the Glazers.
    “Any suggestion otherwise is not true and he will take it very seriously.
    Judge Manley delayed the hearing at Manchester Crown Court to deliberate whether the comment by Class of 92 star Neville was known to the jury and could be potentially prejudicial.
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    She confirmed yesterday (WED) she had referred the matter to the Attorney General Suella Braverman to consider if a potential contempt of court had taken place.
    Judge Manley told the court: “Both the prosecution and defence agreed with me, in the absence of any comment from the jury, and given my clear direction, the trial could properly continue.
    “However, given the author is a person with a high public profile…it could be seen to be an attempt to influence ongoing criminal proceedings and could be contempt of court.
    “Accordingly, I am referring the matter to the office of the Attorney General for the consideration of a potential prosecution.”
    The offence, if proven, carries a fine or up to two years in prison.
    Chris Daw QC, defending Giggs, said he wanted to make it ‘crystal clear’ the footballer had nothing to do with the comment.
    Neville and Giggs were both part of the celebrated ‘Class of ‘92’ academy group at Manchester United with David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.
    They came through the ranks together and enjoyed unprecedented success under manager Sir Alex Ferguson – winning the treble in 1999.
    Right back Gary, 47, retired in 2011 after 400 appearances and 85 England caps.
    He became Three Lions assistant manager under Roy Hodgson in 2012 before a torrid stint as head coach at Spanish side Valencia in 2015.
    Neville has since become a star pundit on Sky Sports and ITV while investing in Salford City FC with Giggs.
    The pair also partnered for their GG Hospitality company which has opened cafes and hotels across the country.
    The Contempt of Court Act 1981 bans anyone from unfairly influencing a court case and preventing a fair trial.
    It restricts what can be said publicly or on social media about whether a defendant is guilty or innocent.
    And it stops any facts or evidence from being published which the jury were not supposed to see.
    Most read in The Sun
    Reports are referred to the Attorney General to consider the potential impact on a criminal trial and whether charges should be pursued.
    Suella Braverman QC, Tory MP for Fareham, currently holds the post as chief legal adviser to the Crown.
    Suella Braverman will consider whether the pundit’s comments broke the lawCredit: Reuters More

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    League One footballer William Kokolo charged with three counts of rape

    LEAGUE One footballer William Kokolo has been charged with three counts of rape.Burton Albion defender Kokolo, aged 22, appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was granted unconditional bail until a Crown Court hearing in late September.
    William Kokolo did not enter a formal plea to the chargesCredit: Getty
    All three offences are alleged to have been committed in the Birmingham area on the same day, February 13, 2022.
    French-born Kokolo, who signed for Burton from Middlesbrough in January, has yet to enter a formal plea to the charges.
    A statement released by Kokolo’s club said: “Burton Albion is fully aware of the charges that have been made against one of our players and the club has spoken to the player and his legal representatives.
    “As this is an ongoing legal process, the club is unable to make any further comment until legal proceedings are concluded.”
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    Kokolo was in the youth ranks at Monaco before moving to Championship side Sunderland.
    He then joined Middlesbrough, playing in the side’s FA Cup third round away win at Mansfield Town in January this year.
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    Kokolo in action for Burton Albion in the game against Lincoln City in January this yearCredit: Rex More