Former footballer Taiwo Atieno has been charged with assaulting and controlling his ex-girlfriend, Keisha Buchanan, over a 13-year period. The 39-year-old, who played for English club Luton Town and represented Kenya’s Harambee Stars internationally, appeared in court via video link from Wormwood Scrubs prison.
Atieno faced the Harrow Crown Court in Southwark on Thursday, where the judge granted him conditional bail. A plea hearing is scheduled for August.
The charges include coercive and controlling behaviour, with allegations that Atieno controlled when Buchanan could shower, what she wore, and her gym attendance. Additional accusations state he opened her correspondence, controlled her finances, and prohibited her from wearing red lipstick.
The case has drawn attention to issues of domestic abuse and coercive control, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations against Atieno.
