Footballer accused of assaulting Sugababes star: he controlled her showers

Taiwo Atieno, international footballer with Kenya, faces eight charges of abuse of his ex Keisha Buchanan

Taiwo Atieno, a Kenya international footballer, appeared in court accused of assaulting and controlling his ex-girlfriend, singer Keisha Buchanan, who founded the Sugababes in 1998 alongside Mutya Buena and Siobhan Donaghy.

The 39-year-old, who faces eight charges relating to the alleged abuse of Keisha Buchanan over 13 years, appeared via video link from Wormwood Scrubs prison.

Judge Ian Bourne KC granted him bail during the hearing at Harrow Crown Court in Southwark.

"There must be no contact, either directly or indirectly, with the claimant Keisha Buchanan. This means any type of contact, whether by email or any other messaging system on social networks; no contact at all," the judge warned the former footballer.

The allegations against international footballer Taiwo Atieno

Taiwo Atieno is accused of assaulting the Sugababes founding singer, who was replaced by Heidi Range in 2001, between January 1, 2012 and January 1, 2015, causing her bodily harm.

He is also accused of controlling or coercive behaviour against Keisha Buchanan between December 29, 2015 and May 1, 2018.

The lawsuit alleges that Taiwo Atieno opened the singer's mail, did not allow her to wear red lipstick, controlled her finances and when she could go to the gym or shower.

The charge alleges that these assaults and behaviours caused Keisha Buchanan "serious alarm or distress which had a substantial adverse effect" on her "usual day-to-day activities".

Throughout his career, Taiwo Atieno played for Walsall, Nuneaton Borough, Rochdale, Chester City, Kidderminster Harriers, Darlington, Tamworth, Puerto Rico Islanders, Rochester Rhinos, Luton Town, Stevenage and Torquay United.