Maguire sister allegedly stabbed before police confrontation
HARRY MAGUIRE brawled with police after his sister was hurt during a confrontation with drinkers, it was claimed in Greece last night, after prosecutors decided to put the England and Manchester United footballer on trial.
Maguire, 27, who denies allegations that he and two other men attacked officers before offering them a bribe to escape punishment, was allowed to fly home after two nights in a cell following the incident in Mykonos.
A court date has been set for Tuesday, but Greek legal experts told The Sunday
Telegraph the £190,000-a-week footballer is now likely to escape a prison sentence as the case has been downgraded to a “misdemeanour”.
Last night, it was reported Maguire could potentially buy his way out of a jail
term even if he was convicted and sentenced, as part of a scheme in Greece to ease overcrowding in prisons.
Maguire will speak to England boss Gareth Southgate about the incident this week, The Telegraph understands.
Yesterday, the Mykonos Voice website claimed the incident involving revellers taunting the player escalated after Maguire’s younger sister, Daisy, was “stabbed in the arm with a sharp object”. Maguire and two other men then allegedly attacked the perpetrators, the local newspaper claimed. Court officials told The Telegraph that Maguire had been arrested with two other men. The three appeared before prosecutors in a closeddoors hearing on the island of Syros.
Maguire refused to comment as he left court before flying home, but United confirmed he had denied the charges. He does not need to appear in person for Tuesday’s hearing but his lawyers may advise him to be present so he can answer questions in court.
Dr Gregory Ioannidis, a senior lecturer in Law at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “His trial is at a misdemeanour court, meaning that he may walk free on Tuesday. Bribery cannot be substantiated and will not hold. Assaulting a police officer is a very serious offence ... I am not sure why they are trying it as a misdemeanour.”
A man is in critical condition after being stabbed in a south London park.
The unnamed 24-year-old was reportedly attacked in Nursery Row Park, Walworth, at about 5.20pm on Friday. He collapsed in the middle of East Street Market as traders were packing up for the evening.
A woman, who did not wish to be named, with a tailoring business near the park, said two children of about six told police how a gang of men had run up to the victim and stabbed him. Det Sgt Rob Merrett, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “I believe the victim was attacked by a group of up to six males armed with baseball bats and knives.” No arrests have been made.