Crime

A FORMER Premier League’s star son has been jailed after punching a retired female cop 33 times in a savage attack at a hospital.Joni Hartson – son of Arsenal, Celtic and Wales player-turned-pundit John Hartson – lured fellow patient Dawn Lloyd, 67, into a garden.Joni Hartson has been jailed for attacking a retired detectiveCredit: WNSThe thug is the son of former Premier League star John HartsonCredit: The SunThe 22-year-old then launched into the terrifying attack – punching her 33 times as she desperately tried to defend herself.Chillingly, Hartson told police he targeted Dawn – a former Royal protection officer – because her age made her an “easy target”.He later admitted: “I wish I had killed her.”Hartson also attacked a healthcare worker days later by punching his arm when he was moved to a hospital in Carmarthen.The brute has now been jailed for two years and six months after pleading guilty to GBH and assault of an emergency worker.Cardiff Crown Court heard Hartson, who has autism, was a patient at Bryngofal Ward in the Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli, South Wales.He had not been sectioned at the time of the attack on October 18 last year but was being treated for suicidal thoughts.Shocking CCTV showed Hartson battering Dawn – a former detective who had served for 17 years in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.Most read in FootballShe was left with a bleed on the brain following the horror and is now unable to form coherent sentences.But the court was told Dawn, who was suffering from confusion due to an autoimmune condition when she was attacked, is able to say: “He’s not going to hit me again.”Her sister Hannah Cox said in a victim impact statement how Dawn worked with the Royal protection team and later went on to be an office manager for on the Queen’s Jubilee.She added: “Dawn served diligently and with compassion.”But Hannah said her sister has since become anxious and worried and is scared of loud noises – including doors slamming.Owen Williams, defending, said Hartson was depressed with suicidal thoughts when he carried out the violent assault.He also said the thug was suffering from “possible hallucinations which were commanding in nature” – although no psychosis diagnosis has been given.Sentencing, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke called the attack “planned and premeditated”.She added: “You selected Miss Lloyd because you could see that she was vulnerable.”You used those vulnerabilities to select her as a target. You deliberately chose someone who would quite obviously be unable to resist.”Hartson was signed as a teenager by Swansea City, with his dad previously expressing his pride at the footballer’s hat-trick against Liverpool’s youth team.John Hartson began his career at Luton in 1992 before joining Arsenal three years later for £2.5million – a record for a teen player at the time.The striker played for the club 53 times – scoring 14 goals – before he left in 1997 to join West Ham.In 1999, John became Wimbledon’s most expensive signing ever when he signed a £7.5million contract.His time at the club didn’t last long though and after a stint at Coventry, John moved to Celtic in 2001 in a £6million transfer.Read More on The SunHe played for the team 146 times and scored 88 goals before moving make to England in 2006 to join West Brom.Hartson eventually hung up his boots in 2007 after gaining 51 caps for Wales.Hartson has been jailed for two yearsCredit: WNSJohn Hartson previously gushed about his son when he played for Swansea’s academy teamJohn played for ArsenalCredit: GettyHe also made 146 appearances for CelticCredit: Getty More

A WOMAN who claims she was sexually abused by Jesse Lingard’s grandad messaged the footballer saying “shame on you”, a court heard.Kenneth Lingard, 86, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman from the age of five until she was 19.Kenneth Lingard allegedly abused the woman from the age of fiveCredit: CHRIS NEILLShe messaged Jesse Lingard after he spoke in a documentary about his grandadCredit: GettyShe reported the alleged abuse to the police after watching a Channel 4 documentary that featured ex-Man Utd star Jesse.The footballer, who now plays for FC Seoul in South Korea, had praised his grandfather’s influence on his career.Liverpool Crown Court heard the woman messaged him three times on November 18, 2022. In one, the woman said: “Shame on you Jesse Lingard. Loads of lies. Your grandad Kenneth Lingard molested and sexually abused me and you know he did. Read more news”You did the documentary for money and to make yourself some kind of mental health ambassador. Well, as you say, I’m speaking out. No more silence.”In another, she referred Jesse hiding a “dark” secret that his grandfather was a “paedophile” and “child molester”.She also branded the former England star’s late grandmother Pamela an “enabler”.When she received no reply, the woman messaged a friend of the footballer who he was on holiday with at the time, the court heard.Most read in FootballShe claimed he had “no right doing that documentary” when his grandfather had “molested” her for years.The alleged victim added: “F****** cheeky twat. Shame on you Jesse Lingard.”Jurors also heard calls she made to police on the day Jesse Lingard — The Untold Story was aired.She asked officers how she could get someone “arrested for child abuse but historic child abuse?”The woman also told police she “thought it was time to speak out about the abuse I had received” after watching the show.She added: “It just made me feel ill that he was made out to be such a hero.”Lingard, of Warrington, has denied 17 counts of indecent assault.The trial continues.Midfielder Jesse joined Man Utd’s youth academy aged seven and progressed to the first team in the 2011-12 season.He made 149 appearances – scoring 20 times including in FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield finals. Read More on The SunJesse moved to Nottingham Forest in 2022 but left a year later after an underwhelming time at the City Ground.He then joined South Korean side FC Seoul in February 2024 on a two-year deal – taking a huge pay cut on £17,500-per-week.Lingard had opened up about the influence his grandad had on him, jurors heardCredit: Getty More