Kenneth Lingard, the grandfather of former England international footballer Jesse Lingard, has died ahead of a scheduled retrial for alleged historic sexual offences. The 87-year-old from Warrington faced 17 counts of indecently assaulting a girl when she was as young as five.
Previous Trial and Cleared Charges
At Liverpool Crown Court in April last year, a jury cleared Lingard of two charges but could not reach verdicts on the remaining 15. He was due for a retrial last month but could not attend due to serious health decline, having spent an extended period in Warrington Hospital.
Death Confirmed in Court
On Monday, the court heard that Lingard died on June 10. Prosecuting barrister Benjamin Aina KC stated that a certified death certificate had been produced, and the proceedings should be closed. Judge Katherine Pierpoint declared that the indictments no longer have legal effect.
The woman who made the complaint said she was motivated after watching a Channel 4 documentary about Jesse Lingard's career, which praised his grandfather. She alleged that Lingard abused her for years, but he denied the claims, suggesting she sought attention.
Jesse Lingard, now playing for Corinthians in Brazil, testified that he had never heard of the allegations and would have cut ties with his grandfather if he had known. The case has now concluded with Lingard's death.
