UPDATE: Harry Maguire has been found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and repeated attempts of bribery. The Manchester United Captain was given a suspended prison sentence but was dropped from the England National team.
The trial of Manchester United defender Harry Maguire began Tuesday in Greece following his arrest after a brawl last week on the island of Mykonos.
Maguire, who was released from custody over the weekend, was not present at the trial on the nearby island of Syros. After the session started, the court called a recess to consider various procedural issues raised by Maguire’s lawyers.
Read More: Manchester United captain arrested in Mykonos after assaulting police officers [VIDEO]
The England defender and two other unnamed defendants have been charged with assault and swearing in public, and Maguire has also been accused of attempting to bribe a police officer following his arrest.
The Manchester United captain was arrested along with his brother Joe and pal Chris Sharman on Thursday morning after a fight erupted in the street.
Maguire’s top human rights lawyer Alexis Anagnostakis told the trial in Syros that the fight was allegedly started after an “Albanian group” attacked Maguire’s younger sister, Daisy. Daisy was stabbed in the arm, causing her to pass out.
Maguire and his group asked to be taken to hospital after the incident, but were driven to a police station instead, where officers allegedly kicked Maguire on the leg and told him: “Your career is over”.
The lawyer claimed his clients, “did not beat anyone, accost anyone, or injure anyone.”
The court heard how once at the police station, Maguire 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.”
The bribery charges carry a maximum sentence of up to five years in jail and a fine. The group are able to appeal the decision in a higher court if they are found guilty today.
AP/The Greek Herald
