Harry Maguire Trial: Prosecution & Defence Present Cases & Call Witnesses
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is standing trial in Greece on misdemeanour charges relating to allegations of assault and attempted bribery following an incident on the island of Mykonos, where he was holidaying last week.
Maguire is not present for the proceedings, which are going ahead on the neighbouring island of Syros, having been released from custody and been given permission to fly home at the weekend.
Legal representatives of the 27-year-old England international had asked to delay the start of the trial, citing a lack of sufficient time to prepare, but that request was dismissed.
The Defence
The defence has claimed that Maguire’s sister, Daisy, was approached by two Albanian men, who injected her with something causing her to immediately faint. Having been taken by a driver to the police station instead of the hospital, it is alleged Maguire was assaulted by police officers.
They are said to have kicked the player on his leg and told him ‘Your career is over’.
Defence say that when they arrived at police station they were assaulted by officers who kicked Harry on his leg telling him “your career is over”.
— Martha Kelner (@marthakelner) August 25, 2020
The Prosecution
The prosecution has argued that the ‘English men’ refused to calm down when plain-clothed police officers attempted to intervene in the initial altercation. One of the defendants is alleged to have sworn at the officers and another is alleged to have punched one.
The prosecution has further argued that Maguire is later alleged to have attempted to bribe his way out of trouble, claiming the player said, “Do you know who I am? I am the captain of Manchester United, I am very rich, I can give you money, I can pay you, please let us go.”
Prosecution allege that once at the police station Harry Maguire said: “Do you know who I am? I am the captain of Manchester United, I am very rich, I can give you money, I can pay you, please let us go”
— Martha Kelner (@marthakelner) August 25, 2020
Cross Examination
A police officer called as a witness for the prosecution denied seeing two Albanian men hitting the English group when cross-examined by Maguire’s defence lawyer. He was then asked to explain how else one of the defendants could have suffered the ‘serious’ injuries they received.
An officer has testified that two of the defendants ran away from police to get into a van, pushing them away when the van door opened.
Prosecution witness Nikolaos Kolios, a Mykonos police officer, says that two of the defendants ran away from them to get in a van. He says they pushed the officers away with their hands and legs as soon as the van door opened.
— Martha Kelner (@marthakelner) August 25, 2020
Police officer (witness for prosecution) says he received first aid while trying to make arrest, because Harry Maguire got infuriated when he realised he was handcuffed and tried to break away from him.
— Martha Kelner (@marthakelner) August 25, 2020
Response on Social Media
Maguire's brother, Laurence, has responded to claims that the United defender offered to bride police officers by telling them how wealthy he is. Laurence argues that assertion unmasks the whole 'fabricated' because it does not fit with his sibling's character.
This is crazy... anyone who knows Harry now knows this whole story is fabricated ? https://t.co/5XqotKI0pk
— Laurence Maguire (@_lozmaguire) August 25, 2020
Sky Sports pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has also publicly stuck up for Maguire in light of those claims made by the Greek police.
Absolute b******s! Every story/rumour someone tells about a footballer always starts with ‘Do you know who I am?’ I’ve never once heard any player say that!! https://t.co/m7jY4gDgHS
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 25, 2020
Accrington Stanley player Joe Maguire has had to set the record straight that he is not Maguire’s brother, nor a relative, and has therefore has nothing to do with any of this, despite being namechecked as being involved by a number of media outlets.
Certain newspapers, including sky sports, as well as the radio this morning claiming I’m Harry Maguire’s brother and being charged in court today. I’m not his brother or even related to him! Is it that hard for the journalists or reporters to actually do their research first?
— Joe Maguire (@MaguireJoe) August 25, 2020
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