Former Reading striker Andy Carroll has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he breached a non-molestation order by repeatedly calling his reality TV star ex-wife.
Carroll, who now plays for National League South side Dagenham, was arrested in April over an alleged offence said to have taken place in March last year. He is accused of breaching an order issued by the Family Court at Chelmsford by repeatedly contacting his ex-wife, Billi Mucklow, who is known for appearing on The Only Way Is Essex.
His hearing, initially expected to take place on December 30, was moved and instead took place on February 4, according to the Crown Prosecution Service and HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
At the brief court appearance, Carroll arrived wearing a green coat and using crutches with a brace on his left foot. He confirmed his personal details and asked for the case to be heard at Crown Court.
District Judge Roy Brown granted bail and confirmed Carroll will appear next at Chelmsford Crown Court on March 4 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. The judge explained that Carroll will be required to enter a plea, and if he maintains a not guilty plea, a trial will then be arranged.
Carroll, who earned nine England caps and joined Liverpool from Newcastle in 2011 for a then club-record £35m, has also played for West Ham, Reading and West Brom. After spells in France with Amiens and Bordeaux, he signed for Dagenham in July.
A non-molestation order is a UK court injunction designed to prevent contact between individuals. Breaching it can result in penalties ranging from a fine to a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.
The 36-year-old scored 11 goals in 42 appearances for Reading before leaving for France following the club’s relegation to League One in 2023. He returned to English football this summer after signing for Dagenham and Redbridge
