carlyluvsunited
14-12-2007, 08:35 AM
Love rival admits wounding of ex-United player in bar
A man accused of the attempted murder of footballer Ronnie Wallwork pleaded
guilty to a lesser offence today.
Robert Rimmer stabbed the former Manchester United player in a jealous rage
because Wallwork was dating his ex-girlfriend.
Rimmer, a 21-year-old gym trainer, went on trial today after denying a charge of
attempted murder and a charge of wounding with intent.
But less than five hours into the trial at Manchester Crown Court, he pleaded
guilty to the charge of wounding with intent on November 30 last year.
Prosecutor Richard Vardon told the jury that November 30 had been a "perfectly
ordinary evening" for the 30-year-old Wallwork and his girlfriend Amy Broadbent.
The pair had enjoyed a night out in Manchester city centre before making their
way to a party at the Sugar Lounge on Deansgate Locks.
Rimmer was at the bar with Wallwork's ex-girlfriend and several others.
Vardon told the jury of seven women and five men that there was "history"
between the two men and that Rimmer had previously made threats to the
footballer.
He said: "Rimmer, no doubt for reasons connected to Amy Broadbent, went over
to Ronnie Wallwork and told him, by whispering into his ear, 'to leave'.
"Mr Wallwork refused. As a result of refusal, that was the spark that ignited the
confrontation."
The prosecutor continued: "This was no ordinary bar room brawling. No ordinary
nightclub fracas or melee.
"This was a serious attack where Rimmer had armed himself and used a knife.
That knife was never recovered."
Rimmer used the knife "with real effect", stabbing Wallwork several times and so
severely that he required emergency surgery, Vardon said.
He added: "That stabbing, that attack, the prosecution say, was motivated in
large part by anger, by jealousy and by resentment that Ronnie Wallwork had
formed a relationship with a Miss Amy Broadbent, the erstwhile girlfriend of
Robert Rimmer."
Mr Justice Saunders directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict on the
attempted murder charge.
He also directed the jury to formally return a guilty verdict on the charge of
wounding with intent.
Rimmer, from Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton, Manchester, was remanded into custody.
Charles Ebbrell, 27, of Hopkinson Avenue, Denton, Manchester, pleaded guilty to
a charge of affray. He punched Wallwork, currently on-loan at Huddersfield Town,
on November 30.
Pre-sentence reports on both men were ordered by the judge and the next
hearing is on December 21. www.dailymail.co.uk
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A man accused of the attempted murder of footballer Ronnie Wallwork pleaded
guilty to a lesser offence today.
Robert Rimmer stabbed the former Manchester United player in a jealous rage
because Wallwork was dating his ex-girlfriend.
Rimmer, a 21-year-old gym trainer, went on trial today after denying a charge of
attempted murder and a charge of wounding with intent.
But less than five hours into the trial at Manchester Crown Court, he pleaded
guilty to the charge of wounding with intent on November 30 last year.
Prosecutor Richard Vardon told the jury that November 30 had been a "perfectly
ordinary evening" for the 30-year-old Wallwork and his girlfriend Amy Broadbent.
The pair had enjoyed a night out in Manchester city centre before making their
way to a party at the Sugar Lounge on Deansgate Locks.
Rimmer was at the bar with Wallwork's ex-girlfriend and several others.
Vardon told the jury of seven women and five men that there was "history"
between the two men and that Rimmer had previously made threats to the
footballer.
He said: "Rimmer, no doubt for reasons connected to Amy Broadbent, went over
to Ronnie Wallwork and told him, by whispering into his ear, 'to leave'.
"Mr Wallwork refused. As a result of refusal, that was the spark that ignited the
confrontation."
The prosecutor continued: "This was no ordinary bar room brawling. No ordinary
nightclub fracas or melee.
"This was a serious attack where Rimmer had armed himself and used a knife.
That knife was never recovered."
Rimmer used the knife "with real effect", stabbing Wallwork several times and so
severely that he required emergency surgery, Vardon said.
He added: "That stabbing, that attack, the prosecution say, was motivated in
large part by anger, by jealousy and by resentment that Ronnie Wallwork had
formed a relationship with a Miss Amy Broadbent, the erstwhile girlfriend of
Robert Rimmer."
Mr Justice Saunders directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict on the
attempted murder charge.
He also directed the jury to formally return a guilty verdict on the charge of
wounding with intent.
Rimmer, from Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton, Manchester, was remanded into custody.
Charles Ebbrell, 27, of Hopkinson Avenue, Denton, Manchester, pleaded guilty to
a charge of affray. He punched Wallwork, currently on-loan at Huddersfield Town,
on November 30.
Pre-sentence reports on both men were ordered by the judge and the next
hearing is on December 21. www.dailymail.co.uk
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
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