West Ham star threatened girl with acid attack, court is told
WEST Ham star Ravel Morrison threatened to throw acid in his ex-girlfriend’s face, blow up her house and have her killed during a four-year campaign of terror, a court heard yesterday.
The harassment allegations emerged as England Under-21 midfielder Morrison appeared before Manchester magistrates charged with assaulting his former partner and her mother last month.
Morrison’s lawyer indicated the player would be pleading not guilty to all three charges of harassment and common assault. The 21-year-old former Manchester United prodigy was bailed until 28 August, meaning he is able to train with West Ham as they prepare for the new Premier League season, which starts on Saturday week.
His future at the east London club remains uncertain, however, amid doubts over manager Sam Allardyce’s plans for a player he sent on loan to QPR for the second half of last season, despite Morrison being popular with supporters and the club’s hierarchy.
Morrison was considered one of United’s most talented youngsters when West Ham paid £650,000 for him in January 2012.
His impressive form in the early months of last term prompted interest from Fulham during the January transfer window, but a £4.5m bid was turned down.
He was arrested following the alleged incidents involving Reah Mansoor and Parveen Mansoor early on Sunday 27 July and initially remanded in custody at Manchester’s Strangeways prison, but bailed on Monday.
West Ham begin their season at home to London rivals Tottenham, who they beat an all three occasions they met last season, including a Morrison-inspired 3-0 win at White Hart Lane in October.