Ex-Liverpool striker Andy Carroll to stand trial after being accused of breaching court order against ex-wife
Former England and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has officially pleaded not guilty to charges of breaching the harassment ban and is due to stand trial next year.
The 37-year-old man is accused of repeatedly calling his ex-wife Billi Mucklow, the reality TV star who appeared on the hit show One Way Essex.
A trial date was set for January 18, 2027 at a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, and Mr Carroll formally pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.
Mr Carroll did not attend Tuesday’s hearing because people representing him believed the hearing would take place on Wednesday.
As a result, the judge postponed Mr Carroll’s trial by one day until Wednesday, when he was due to enter his plea.
The former Newcastle striker attended Wednesday’s hearing via video link, wearing a checkered shirt and sitting inside a parked car.
He is accused of breaching an order made by the family court at Chelmsford Justice Center by repeatedly calling his ex-wife Ms Mucklow “without reasonable excuse” in March last year.
Mr Carroll answered “yes” to confirm his name and said “not guilty” when asked to enter a plea.
Prosecutor Philippa Page said there was “some confusion regarding the defense and trial preparation hearing dates, which is why Mr Carroll and his legal team did not attend the hearing yesterday.”
After Carroll formally entered his plea, Judge Mary Loram KC told him: “I adjourn your case for hearing on 18 January next year.”
Carroll, who now plays for National League South club Dagenham & Redbridge, played nine games for England between 2010 and 2012, scoring twice, including one at Euro 2012.
He started his professional career at Newcastle and transferred to Liverpool for £35 million in 2011, later playing for West Ham, Reading and West Brom, among other teams.
The judge granted Carroll bail and said “thank you, thank you” at the end of the hearing.
