Liverpool defender John Flanagan was sentenced to rehabilitation and 40 hours of unpaid work on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to attacking his girlfriend. The 25-year-old had admitted to the offence at a hearing on January 2.
Flanagan had reportedly kicked his girlfriend Rachael Wall on a central street in Liverpool in the early hours of December 22. District judge Wendy Lloyd sentenced Flanagan to a 12-month community order, which includes 15 rehabilitation activity days, 40 hours of unpaid work, £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
“You are, of course, a young man of previous good character and therefore it’s undoubtedly sad that you have brought yourself here by your behaviour,” she said. “It was a matter of this lady going to the floor twice and you used your foot on her on one occasion.”
The court saw security camera footage which showed Flanagan hitting his girlfriend before pushing her against a wall twice and then kicking her. His lawyer Lionel Grieg told the court, “He deeply regrets his behaviour and there is genuine remorse. They are back together and working very hard at the relationship.”
Flanagan has made more than 50 first-team appearances for Liverpool since making his debut at 18. He has even captained the club but has featured for the Reds only once this season.
With inputs from AFP