The grandfather of former Manchester United footballer Jesse Lingard has died while awaiting a retrial for alleged child sex offences. Kenneth Lingard, 87, stood trial at Liverpool Crown Court last year, accused of sexually abusing a girl from the age of five. The jury cleared him of two counts of indecent assault but could not reach verdicts on the remaining 15 counts, it can now be reported.
Retrial Rescheduled
He had been due to face a retrial in May, but it was rescheduled for a date next year after the court heard he was in hospital. It has now been confirmed that Mr Lingard, of Northway, Warrington, died last week.
At a hearing on Monday, Benjamin Aina KC, prosecuting, said: “On June 10 this year, Kenneth Lingard passed away and a death certificate has been produced.”
Historic Allegations
The first trial heard the historic allegations about the pensioner were reported to police by the complainant in November 2022, following the release of a documentary in which Jesse Lingard spoke about his grandfather’s positive influence on his career. The jury was told the woman messaged the midfielder after the programme was aired and said: “Shame on you Jesse Lingard. Loads of lies. Your grandad Kenneth Lingard molested and sexually abused me and you know he did.”
Jesse Lingard's Testimony
Former Manchester United and England midfielder Jesse Lingard flew to the UK from South Korea, where he was playing for FC Seoul, to give evidence in his grandfather’s defence last April. The footballer denied he had known about any alleged abuse, telling the court: “If I knew any of these allegations, I’d have cut ties with him years ago.” Kenneth Lingard, a former gymnastics coach and powerlifter, told the court the assaults 'never happened'.
Legal Outcome
Addressing the court on Monday, Judge Katherine Pierpoint said: “In the circumstances of this case, having seen the evidence which shows the death of the defendant on June 10 this year, any existing indictments no longer have any legal effect unless the court is shown otherwise.”
