Football: West Ham's Morrison made acid and death threat on ex-girlfriend, court told

LONDON (AFP) - West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison threatened to throw acid in his former girlfriend's face and have her killed, a court in Manchester heard on Thursday.

The 21-year-old former Manchester United player is also accused of threatening to blow up the house of Reah Mansoor, his former partner, during a campaign of harassment that lasted four years.

He was initially arrested and charged with two counts of common assault for allegedly attacking Mansoor, 19, and her 39-year-old mother, Parveen Mansoor, after a night out in Manchester on July 26.

Morrison spoke only to confirm his personal details during a brief hearing at Manchester Magistrates' Court, when an allegation of harassment was added to the charges he faces.

His lawyer, David Fish QC, indicated that the England Under-21 international would plead not guilty to all the charges. Morrison was bailed out to appear before Manchester Crown Court on Aug 28.

The court was told that between Jan 1, 2010 and July 20 this year, Morrison made repeated threats to Reah Mansoor, including that he would throw acid in her face, blow up her house, or have her killed.

Morrison, who hails from Manchester, was remanded in custody last week before being released on bail. The conditions include a proviso that he is not allowed to visit Greater Manchester except for a court appearance, to see his lawyers, or if West Ham have a game in the area.

Morrison was tipped for stardom after progressing through Manchester United's youth ranks, but disciplinary issues prompted former manager Alex Ferguson to sell him to West Ham for £650,000 (S$1.37 million at the current exchange rate) in January 2012.

After spending the 2012-13 campaign on loan at second-tier Birmingham City, Morrison made a bright start to last season for West Ham, notably scoring a fine solo goal in a 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur.

But after a groin injury and a loss of form in mid-season, he was loaned to Queens Park Rangers, who he helped secure promotion from the Championship.

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