Manchester United Defender, Harry Maguire has been given a suspended prison sentence of 21 and 10 days after being found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and repeated attempts of bribery.
The sentence will be suspended because it is a first offence and charges were misdemeanours.
Maguire was convicted of all the charges against him by a court on the island of Syros He was arrested with his brother and a friend after a fight broke out while he was on holiday in Mykonos over claims his sister was injected with a suspected “rape drug”.
The court had been asked to postpone proceedings over the incident, which happened last Thursday during a family getaway.
But the trial went ahead in the absence of all three defendants – Maguire, his brother Joe and their friend Christopher Sharman.
Maguire said: “Following the hearing today, I have instructed my legal team with immediate effect to inform the courts we will be appealing.
“I remain strong and confident regarding our innocence in this matter – if anything myself, family and friends are the victims.”
Speaking after the verdict, the lawyer who assisted the prosecution said the victims are still waiting for an apology.
He said: “When you’re a sportsman and a role model you have to accept what you’ve done and say sorry.
“Until today, we haven’t had that – they have said it’s all the fault of the policeman.
“This was not accepted by the court. The victims and the policeman were assaulted. The only thing they want is an apology.”
He said the victims were “totally appalled” by Maguire and his co-defendants’ behaviour.
Manchester United said in a statement: “Manchester United notes the verdict of the Greek court today. Harry Maguire pleaded not guilty to all of the misdemeanour charges made against him and he continues to strongly assert his innocence.
“It should be noted that the prosecution confirmed the charges and provided their evidence late on the day before the trial, giving the defence team minimal time to digest them and prepare.
A request for the case to be adjourned was subsequently denied. “On this basis, along with the substantial body of evidence refuting the charges, Harry Maguire’s legal team will now appeal the verdict, to allow a full and fair hearing at a later date.”
The prosecution alleged that once Maguire, who has been named in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad despite the ongoing court case, arrived at a police station, he said: “Do you know who I am? I am the captain of Manchester United, I am very rich, I can give you money, I can pay you, please let us go.”
Maguire, who was not present in court, pleaded not guilty, denying charges of aggravated assault and attempted bribery of an official.
Source: Sky Sports Football
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