Neville Neville to face sex assault trial

Neville Neville, 63, did not enter the dock but instead stood behind his solicitor advocate, Simon McKay, for the brief, two-minute hearing at Bury Magistrates’ Court.

Neville, looking tanned and wearing a dark suit, white shirt and blue tie, stood and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

The charge was read out to him by the clerk of the court - that on March 23, at Greenmount in Bury, he sexually penetrated a woman with his finger when she did not consent.

The subject of the sexual assault is believed to be a 46-year-old woman.

No plea was entered by the defendant, of Larkfield Close, Bury, who was told the alleged offence could only be heard before a jury and must be sent to Crown Court.

District Judge James Prowse asked Neville to stand and granted him bail on condition that he does not enter the Bulls Head pub in Bury and told him he must appear for a preliminary hearing at Bolton Crown Court on July 1.

Neville left court without comment but his solicitor advocate Mr McKay said: “Mr Neville is accused of sexual assault and appeared before Bury Magistrates’ Court this morning for the purpose of the case being transferred to the Crown Court.

“He denies the allegation fully. Beyond this, because the matter is proceeding to trial, there can be no further comment.”

As well as working as an agent for his sons, outgoing Everton captain Phil and former Manchester United captain Gary - now an England coach and TV pundit - Neville Neville is a former director of League One side Bury FC.

He was also a sportsman in his own right, and played for Greenmount in the Bolton Cricket League in the 1980s.