Leicester's Danny Simpson faces jail for throttling ex-girlfriend
(First posted on Eurosport)
The 28-year-old, who started his top flight career at Manchester United and is currently at Leicester City after spells at Newcastle United and QPR, throttled Stephanie Ward, leaving her "crying hyserically and cowering" in the corner of the room, according to testimony given at Manchester Magistrates Court.
Police were called to the scene in Worsley, Greater Manchester, after a 999 call on December 29th last year in which Ward could be heard screaming "get off me, get off me", and Simpson was heard hurling abuse.
The policeman who attended the scene entered the room to find Simpson "straddling across her with his hands firmly placed around her neck," according to his testimony.
PC Gareth Hughes arrived at the house, where the pair spend Christmas together for the sake of their daughter.
"She sounded very distressed. The screams carried on for a short time then they were silenced and I could hear a choking sound," said the police officer, adding that he then wrestled Simpson and subsequently arrested him.
Ward made an initial statement, but subsequently withdrew it because she was reportedly worried about the impact on her daughter and Simpson, who has also dated former reality TV star Tulisa Contostavlos. Police petitioned the court to have her statement admitted as evidence, but that request was turned down - not that it made a difference to the outcome.
Simpson's defence claimed that the pair had been arguing following a night out, which started about old text messages but moved on to a pair of shoes that Simpson had given Ward for Christmas. The player claimed that he was trying to get the shoes off her feet since "I didn't think she deserved the shoes."
After finding him guilty, District Judge Alexandra Simmons told Simpson that his account was "unworthy of belief" and added that "strangling someone, or attempting to, is akin to using a weapon".
"All sentencing options, including custody, remain open," said the judge.
Sentencing will take place next month.
