*This content was translated by AI.
Jesse Lingard (34, Corinthians)'s grandfather died while awaiting retrial on child sexual abuse charges.
The UK's 'The Sun' reported on the 15th (Korean time) that "Kenneth Lingard (87), Jesse Lingard's grandfather, died ahead of his retrial on child sexual abuse charges."
During the court hearing today, the Prosecution Service stated that "Kenneth passed away on the 10th and has submitted an official death certificate."
A former gymnastics coach and powerlifter, Kenneth was tried last year at Liverpool Crown Court on charges of sexually abusing a five-year-old girl. At that time, the jury acquitted him of two counts of indecent assault but failed to reach a verdict on the remaining 15 charges. Although the retrial was initially scheduled for May this year, the proceedings were postponed until next year due to Kenneth's deteriorating health and subsequent hospitalization.
The case came to public attention after the victim woman reported the abuse by Kenneth to the police after watching a documentary featuring Lingard. In the documentary, Lingard praised his grandfather, mentioning the positive impact he had on his football career.
Subsequently, Lingard appeared in court as a witness and testified that "after the documentary aired, I was contacted by the victim woman."
According to Lingard, the victim woman confronted him, asking, "How could you allow your grandfather, who committed such a terrible act, to appear on television?" Lingard replied, "I had never heard of the case and did not understand what she was talking about." When the woman warned that she would report the matter to the police, Lingard responded, "Report it if you wish."
Lingard made it clear in court that he was completely unaware of his grandfather's abuse. He emphasized, "Had I known even a little, I would have cut ties with him immediately," and added, "I would never have allowed my daughter or younger sister to be near him."
Kenneth has consistently denied all sexual assault allegations against him in court, maintaining throughout his life that "such things never happened."
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*This content was translated by AI.
