Andy Carroll is facing the prospect of a jail sentence after the former Liverpool and Newcastle United striker was charged with breaching a non-molestation order.
The 36-year-old, who plays for National League South side Dagenham and Redbridge, is set to appear before a court on Tuesday (December 30) after being arrested in April, with the alleged offence being committed in March.
Back in July this year, a report from The Sun claimed that an unnamed former Premier League footballer was arrested at Stansted airport in front of fellow passengers after arriving in the UK from France.
It was claimed that 'an issue was flagged up to Border Force officers at passport control, which led to police being called.'
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The former England international has since been charged, with authorities now confirming that the individual was Carroll. Essex Police have released a statement on the matter.
It read: “A man has been charged with breaching a non-molestation order. Andrew Carroll, 36, of Epping, was arrested on April 27 and the alleged offences relate to an incident in March. He is due to appear at Chelmsford magistrates’ court on December 30.”
What are non-molestation orders?
A non-molestation order is a UK court injunction. As explained by Blanchards Law, courts take a wide view of what counts as ‘molestation’.
An order may ban direct or indirect contact, prevent someone from attending certain locations, or restrict communication by phone, text, email, or social media. In some cases, children or third parties may also be covered.
Most non-molestation orders last for up to 12 months, although they can be extended if a court believes protection is still needed.
Depending on the circumstances, breaching such an order is a criminal offence that can lead to a jail sentence of up to five years.
Last month, Carroll was fined after filming an anti-immigration protest on his phone while driving.
Hundreds of people were protesting at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, in June, after an asylum seeker who was living there, Hadush Kebatu, was charged with sexual offences. Kebatu was later jailed.
The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and was ordered to pay £1,052. He was also given six points on his driving licence, according to court documents.
Patrick O’Reilly, who was defending Carroll, said: “Mr Carroll was late for a meeting with a friend. He was stopped in traffic. He used his phone to film the protest."
He added: “There were hundreds, if not thousands, of people around. He could see police everywhere. He filmed in order to show his friend why he was late.”
Topics: Andy Carroll, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Premier League, England
Jack Kenmare