Former England and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has pleaded not guilty to breaching a non-molestation order protecting his ex-wife, TOWIE star Billi Mucklow, for the second time, in a case that will now proceed to crown court alongside a related earlier breach allegation.
Carroll, 37, appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court wearing a brown jacket, grey trousers and white and grey trainers, where he remained calm throughout the brief hearing, confirming his name, age and addresses before entering his plea. Prosecutor Erin Peck told the court that the alleged breach, which took place on 9 August last year in Epping, Essex, “did cause significant distress” to Mucklow. The pair previously shared a luxury mansion in the town, regarded as one of the most sought-after locations in the county.
Representing Carroll, Nick Titchener told the court that a related case concerning a similar alleged breach in March last year was already in progress. Carroll appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court via videolink in March this year in connection with that earlier matter, also pleading not guilty to breaching the non-molestation order, which was imposed in October 2024 by the family court at Chelmsford Justice Centre. At that hearing, the court was told he was accused of making repeated mobile phone and FaceTime Audio calls to Mucklow.
Chairman of the Bench Peter Hoche told Carroll that the new case could remain within the magistrates court’s powers, as the minimum sentence for the offence fell within their sentencing limits. However, Carroll opted to have the case heard at crown court instead. “You’ve opted for crown court. There will be a pre-trial preparation hearing on July 10,” Hoche told him. Carroll responded: “Thank you very much, cheers.”
Carroll currently plays for National League South club Dagenham & Redbridge. He earned nine caps for England between 2010 and 2012, scoring twice, including one goal at Euro 2012. He began his professional career at Newcastle United before a £35 million move to Liverpool in 2011, and went on to play for West Ham, Reading and West Brom among other clubs. Mucklow appeared on The Only Way Is Essex between 2011 and 2013, before briefly returning to the show in 2018.
