Newcastle´s Carroll charged with assaulting ex

Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll was bailed to live with club captain Kevin Nolan after appearing in court Monday charged with assaulting an ex-girlfriend.

The England under-21 international is accused of assaulting Laurie Henderson at her home sometime after 4:30am (0330 GMT) Sunday.

Following an hour-long hearing at Tynedale Magistrates Court in Hexham, west of Newcastle in northeast England, he was granted conditional bail to live with Nolan.

The skipper’s family home in the village of Ponteland, northwest of Newcastle, is a 15-minute walk from Henderson’s house.

Carroll, who gave his address as a hotel in Newcastle, does not have to stay at Nolan’s house when the Magpies are playing.

The court heard Carroll will claim he was acting in self-defence.

The case was adjourned until January 10 and he must not contact any prosecution witnesses.

Long-haired forward Carroll has scored four goals in eight matches for the Magpies this season.

A graduate of Newcastle’s youth scheme, he was Newcastle’s top scorer last season as they won the Championship and promotion to the English Premier League.

Carroll wears Newcastle’s number nine shirt, previously held by club heroes such as Alan Shearer, Jackie Milburn, Andy Cole and Malcolm Macdonald.

He signed a new, five-year contract with the Magpies earlier this month.

The striker was booked as Newcastle scraped a 2-2 draw with a last-minute goal at home to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.