This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

West Ham United’s Ravel Morrison threatened to throw acid in the face of his ex-girlfriend and have her killed, a court heard today.

The former Manchester United midfielder Morrison, 21, is also accused of threatening to blow up her house in a course of harassment against his ex-girlfriend Reah Mansoor lasting four years, Manchester magistrates’ court heard.

Morrison was initially arrested and charged with two counts of common assault after allegedly punching and slapping Miss Mansoor, 19, and her mother Parveen Mansoor, 39, in the early hours of 27 July in Salford.

Morrison, who spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, sat in the dock at the court for the brief hearing as the harassment allegation was added to the charges.

The court heard the additional charge of causing his ex-girlfriend to fear violence would be used against her spanned the period from 1 January 2010 to 20 July this year. The charge alleges he threatened to throw acid in her face, blow up her house and have her killed and other threats of violence.

David Fish QC, representing Morrison, indicated the defendant would be pleading not guilty to the charges. District judge Khalid Qureshi bailed Morrison to appear at Manchester crown court for a preliminary hearing on 28 August.

Morrison, originally from Manchester, was initially remanded in custody last week before being bailed.

His bail conditions are that he lives in Canary Wharf, London, does not contact the two women complainants directly or indirectly, does not go on to the street where they live, and does not enter the Greater Manchester area except for a court appearance, to see his lawyers or to visit for a West Ham game in the area and to return to London immediately after the match.

Despite being touted as a bright prospect at Old Trafford, Morrison appeared only in the League Cup before the former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson sold him to West Ham for £650,000 in January 2012.

The West Ham manager Sam Allardyce took him to Upton Park but he was later shipped out on loan to Birmingham and Queens Park Rangers.

Morrison picked up the first of his four England Under-21 caps in a 4-0 win over San Marino in October and was subject to a bid from Fulham in January – although the offer was rejected.