Former England international Andy Carroll has pleaded not guilty to a charge of breaching a non-molestation order and is scheduled to stand trial next year.
Carroll, a professional footballer best known for his spells with Newcastle United, Liverpool and West Ham United, formally entered his plea in relation to the alleged breach. Details of the specific circumstances surrounding the charge have not been made public, and court documents referenced in reporting do not elaborate on the nature of the alleged incident or incidents.
A non-molestation order is a type of injunction under United Kingdom law, typically issued by a civil court to protect an individual from harassment, threats, or certain forms of contact. Breaching such an order is treated as a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution. While the general framework of these orders is well established, the exact terms of the order involving Carroll have not been disclosed.
Following his plea of not guilty, the case will proceed through the usual pre-trial legal processes. These can include further procedural hearings, the exchange of evidence between prosecution and defence, and scheduling matters ahead of the full trial. The trial itself is expected to take place next year, though a specific date has not been reported.
Carroll’s legal team has not publicly commented in detail on the charge, beyond entering the not guilty plea in court. Prosecutors have also not released additional information about the alleged breach, in line with standard practice for ongoing cases.
The 35-year-old forward earned multiple caps for England during his international career and featured at major tournaments, including Euro 2012. At club level, he built a reputation as a powerful aerial presence and target forward. His career has taken him from his hometown club Newcastle United to a then-record move to Liverpool, and later to West Ham United, among other sides. His current club situation and playing status were not addressed in relation to the court proceedings.
As the legal process continues, no findings have been made against Carroll. The not guilty plea means the allegations will be tested in court, where evidence will be presented and examined before a verdict is reached. Until that process concludes, Carroll remains legally presumed innocent of the charge.
