Championship football star appears in court on string of charges including assault and stalking

A YOUNG football star has appeared in court accused of assault and stalking.

Teenage Preston North End forward Finlay Cross-Adair is accused of seven counts of assault, stalking and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in a family relationship.

GettyAlleged stalker Finlay Cross-Adair made his Preston debut against Stoke last October[/caption]

The Championship club’s director Peter Ridsdale, previously chairman of Leeds United, was sitting in the public gallery for the player’s hearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court.

The alleged stalking is said to have happened between May and June this year, while he is accused of carrying out the coercive behaviour between January and June.

Magistrates granted the 18-year-old bail with conditions including not to enter Longridge and to reside at his grandparent’s address in Waingate in Grimsargh, Lancashire, as well as not to contact the victim nor any witnesses and to attend club training six days per week.

Cross-Adair is next due to appear at Preston Crown Court on June 30 for a plea and trial preparation hearing, LancsLive reported.

Cross-Adair signed his first professional contract with Preston last December – having made his first team debut two months earlier as a substitute against Stoke City.

A profile on the club’s website describes him “as a local lad – and a huge PNE fan – who has worked his way through the North End youth ranks”.

He came on as a late sub in Preston’s 3-0 home defeat to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round in January.

GettyPreston North End director Peter Ridsdale, previously of Cardiff City and Leeds United, was in the public gallery for Cross-Adair’s court appearance[/caption]

GettyCross-Adair’s debut against Stoke was the first of his six appearances for Preston during the 2022-2023 season, all from the bench[/caption]

GettyThree days after his debut, Cross-Adair was an unused substitute for his side’s 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town[/caption]

GettyCross-Adair, left, faced Blackburn Rovers defender Dominic Hyam during his second league outing – a 4-1 away win for North End last December[/caption]