Footballer Jesse Lingard’s grandfather, Kenneth Lingard, aged 87, passed away while awaiting a retrial for alleged child sex offenses. He had faced accusations of sexually abusing a girl starting at the age of five, with a trial at Liverpool Crown Court in 2025 resulting in the clearing of two counts of indecent assault but no verdicts on the remaining 15 counts.
During a court hearing on June 15, Benjamin Aina KC, the prosecutor, disclosed that Kenneth Lingard had died on June 10, 2025, with a death certificate provided. The 87-year-old, residing in Northway, Warrington, was supposed to undergo a retrial in May, but due to hospitalization, the proceedings were postponed to the following year.
The initial trial revealed historic allegations reported to the police in November 2022 by the complainant after Jesse Lingard discussed his grandfather’s positive impact on his career in a documentary. The jury was informed that the woman contacted the midfielder, accusing Kenneth Lingard of molestation and sexual abuse.
Jesse Lingard, who had flown back from playing in South Korea for FC Seoul to defend his grandfather in court last April, denied any knowledge of the alleged abuse. He stated in court that he would have severed ties if aware of such allegations, emphasizing that the assaults were fabricated.
Judge Katherine Pierpoint, addressing the court, declared that following Kenneth Lingard’s death on June 10, 2025, any existing indictments against him were no longer legally relevant unless proven otherwise.
