EX-England star Jesse Lingard’s grandad was accused of child sex abuse after his alleged victim watched a documentary on the footballer, a court heard yesterday.
Kenneth Lingard, 86, is said to have targeted her from the age of five until she was 19.
She came forward after screened — The Untold Story in 2022 where the former Man United star praised his grandfather.
Prosecutor Benjamin Aina KC said the woman told police: “They made the and I just thought it was time to speak out about the abuse I had received.
“It just made me feel ill that he was made out to be such a hero.”;
Lingard, of Warrington, appeared in the dock in a wheelchair at crown to deny 17 indecent assaults.
The trial continues.
Former Man Utd midfielder Jesse was released by in 2023, after an underwhelming time at the City Ground.
He was stuck in a free agent's abyss, until he surprisinglyin February 2024 on a two-year deal – taking a huge pay cut on £17,500-per-week.
At Forest, he was earning a whopping £ 180,000 per week.
Although it was a tough start professionally, with coach Kim Gi-dongfor his fitness and a subsequent knee injury ruling him of action early on in his career, he soon won over the fans.
