Nathaniel Mendez-Laing Denies Assault Allegation Against Wife

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will stand trial in January after denying an allegation that he assaulted his wife during an incident at the couple’s Staffordshire home.

The MK Dons winger, 34, appeared at Cannock magistrates’ court on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by beating against his wife, Saira Mendez-Laing.

The court heard that police were called to the pair’s luxury property in Shenstone, Staffordshire, in June. Mendez-Laing, who arrived at court on crutches, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

Prosecutors allege that Saira, the mother of Mendez-Laing’s child, was repeatedly struck over the head and suffered an arm injury during the incident. The dispute is said to have started after a disagreement about a phone. Mendez-Laing denies any physical attack.

He was arrested and later charged with assault by beating, with the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the charge last month.

District Judge Joseph O’Connor granted the former Premier League forward conditional bail and listed the case for trial in January next year.

Career Overview

Birmingham-born Mendez-Laing has previously played in the top flight with Cardiff City, scoring four goals in 20 Premier League appearances in the 2019/20 season before leaving the club in September 2020. He also had a spell with Wolves earlier in his career and represented England at under-17 level.

Eligible through his mother and maternal grandmother, Mendez-Laing now plays international football for Guatemala.

Off the pitch, he married Saira in June last year, with MK Dons marking the occasion by posting a wedding photo and congratulations on the club’s official social media channels.

MK Dons, currently 19th in League One, said they could not comment on an ongoing court case.