Jesse Lingard's Grandfather Faces Historic Abuse Charges as Woman Speaks Out

Jesse Lingard's Grandfather Faces Historic Abuse Charges as Woman Speaks Out.

A woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Jesse Lingard’s grandfather messaged the footballer saying “shame on you”, a court has heard.

Kenneth Lingard, 86, is charged with historic offences involving a girl when she was as young as five.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the woman, who cannot be identified, contacted police after watching a Channel 4 documentary where former Manchester United player Jesse Lingard discussed his grandfather’s role in shaping his career.

On Monday, the court heard that she sent three messages to the footballer, currently playing for FC Seoul in South Korea, on November 18, 2022, the day after the documentary was released. In one message, she expressed her outrage, stating: “Shame on you, Jesse Lingard. So many lies. Your grandfather, Kenneth Lingard, molested and sexually abused me, and you know it. You made that documentary for profit and to portray yourself as a mental health advocate.

As you said, I’m speaking out. No more silence.” In another message, she accused the footballer of concealing a “dark” secret about his grandfather being a “paedophile” and a “child molester.” She also labeled his late grandmother, Pamela, as an “enabler.” When she didn’t receive a response, she reached out to a friend of the footballer, who was on vacation with him, as the court was informed. In that message, she stated that the former England player had “no right to do that documentary” given that his grandfather had “molested” her for years.

She added: “F****** cheeky twat. Shame on you, Jesse Lingard.” The woman testified that prior to sending the messages, she had video-called the player. When he answered, he was lounging in the sun, and she believed he was in Dubai. She recounted to the court: “I asked him why he did it.

He didn’t respond, so I asked, ‘Why didn’t you tell me when you knew about the abuse?’ Again, he didn’t answer.” She noted that he mumbled something before ending the call. She admitted to being “furious” when she sent the messages and acknowledged that she was reacting out of anger. She remarked: “That’s not how I usually behave.” The court also heard recordings of calls she made to the police on the day the documentary was released. In a 999 call, she asked: “How do I get someone arrested for child abuse, specifically historic child abuse?” During cross-examination, Tom Price KC, who was defending, stated: “We completely deny any suggestion that any sexual abuse ever occurred,” while the complainant gave her testimony from behind a screen. Kenneth Lingard, from Northway, Warrington, observed the proceedings via video link.