Former Town manager and skipper Jim Magilton appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court this morning accused of assaulting his 14-year-old stepdaughter. The 47-year-old’s defence lawyer said the "charge will be contested in full”.

Magilton is alleged to have given the teenager "a couple of slaps to the head and dragged her down the stairs by the arms”.

The Northern Irishman’s lawyer said the accused "isn't accepting the allegations” and added that the charge, which relates to an incident alleged to have taken place on January 7th, will be contested.

A request for anonymity was turned down by the judge as it was a physical assault as opposed to a sexual assault.

Magilton, who now lives back in Belfast, was released on bail of £500 with the case was adjourned until the end of February. He has been barred from making contact with the alleged victim and from entering an area of Crumlin, County Antrim.

The former midfielder is now Northern Ireland’s U21s coach and the Irish Football Association’s elite performance director.

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