A former professional footballer has appeared in court accused of assaulting Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan and restricting her freedom to shower or go to the gym.
Taiwo Leo Atieno (39) faces eight charges relating to his former girlfriend, Ms Buchanan, over a period of approximately 13 years.
The former Luton Town and Kenya international appeared via video link from Wormwood Scrubs prison in England dressed in a suit and tie.
He was not asked to plead guilty and Judge Ian Bourne QC temporarily granted him bail at Harrow Crown Court in Southwark, London, on Thursday.
Atieno, from Brixton, south London, is accused of causing actual bodily harm to the Sugababes founder between January 1, 2012 and January 1, 2015.
He is also charged with controlling or coercing Ms Buchanan between December 29, 2015 and May 1, 2018.
The indictment says he hacked into her correspondence, banned her from wearing red lipstick, controlled her finances and when she could go to the gym or shower.
The indictment also alleges it resulted in “severe anxiety or stress” which had a significant negative impact on her “normal day-to-day activities”.
He is accused of acting “at a time when he knew or should have known that such conduct would have a serious effect on her.”
Atieno is also charged with six counts of violating a prohibition against solicitation, twice for allegedly transmitting information about Ms Buchanan to a third party over the internet on July 18 and 20 last year.
He is also accused of breaching the court order by sending emails to Ms Buchanan on August 2, November 19, December 19 and December 23, 2024.
Conditions of his release on bail include providing a passport by Monday afternoon.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
