Appeals court confirms Harry Maguire guilty In Mykonos incident

Harry Maguire’s long-running legal battle in Greece suffered another setback after an appeals court upheld the England defender’s conviction linked to a 2020 altercation with police on the island of Mykonos.

The court, sitting on the nearby island of Syros, ruled that the Manchester United player was guilty of aggravated assault. According to The Guardian, judges imposed a suspended prison sentence of 15 months and 20 days along with a €1,500 fine. The decision reduces an earlier sentence of 21 months and 10 days that had been issued during previous proceedings.

The case stems from an incident in August 2020 when Maguire, his brother Joe and a friend became involved in a confrontation with police while on holiday in Mykonos, a popular destination in Greece’s Cycladic islands. Authorities detained the three men for roughly 48 hours following the incident.

Lawyers representing four police officers involved in the confrontation said the ruling confirmed their clients’ account of what happened that night. The officers had accused Maguire and the two other men of assaulting them and directing verbal abuse during the dispute.

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“Today, the court upheld the conviction and justice was done,” prosecution lawyer Ioannis Paradissis told The Guardian. “Policemen sustained injuries that night. They have not forgotten what happened to them and they are still awaiting an apology. Not once has Maguire shown any remorse.”

The appeals judges ruled that the conviction also applies to Maguire’s companions. However, they removed a charge against Joe Maguire that alleged an attempt to bribe a police officer.

Maguire’s legal team said they intend to challenge the decision at Greece’s supreme court. Legal analysts say that level of appeal typically focuses only on points of law rather than reconsidering the full evidence presented during the trial.

During the hearing, Maguire’s lawyer argued that the England international believed he was being abducted when police intervened, The Guardian reported.

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The defender did not attend the court session and instead remained in England preparing with Manchester United ahead of the club’s match against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Sources: The Guardian

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