Former England striker Andy Carroll is scheduled to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, facing charges of breaching a non-molestation order. The 36-year-old, currently playing for National League South side Dagenham and Redbridge, was arrested on April 27, 2025, for an offense allegedly committed in March of the same year.

Essex Police released a statement confirming the charges against Carroll: "A man has been charged with breaching a non-molestation order. Andrew Carroll, 36, of Epping, was arrested on April 27 and the alleged offences relate to an incident in March. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on December 30".

A non-molestation order is a court injunction typically issued to prevent an individual from contacting or harassing another person. It can also prohibit someone from coming within a certain distance of a specific address. Breaching such an order can lead to penalties ranging from a fine to a prison sentence of up to five years for the most serious cases. Courts take a broad view of what counts as 'molestation' and an order may ban direct or indirect contact, prevent someone from attending certain locations, or restrict communication by phone, text, email, or social media. Most non-molestation orders last for up to 12 months, although they can be extended if a court believes protection is still needed.

Carroll's career has seen highs and lows. He joined Liverpool in January 2011 from Newcastle United for a then-club-record fee of £35 million, making him the most expensive British player at the time. He earned nine caps for England. However, his time at Anfield didn't quite live up to expectations, and he was later sold to West Ham after scoring 11 goals in 58 appearances. He has since played for Reading, West Brom, Amiens (France), and Bordeaux, before landing at Dagenham and Redbridge. Carroll was sent off on his debut game for the club shortly after signing a three-year deal in the summer.

Details of the alleged breach that led to Carroll's arrest have not been disclosed for legal reasons. The potential consequences for breaching a non-molestation order are significant, with a prison sentence of up to five years possible.

In other recent news, last month, Carroll was fined after filming an anti-immigration protest on his phone while driving.