Woman accused of breaching Rio Ferdinand order to face trial
A woman convicted of harassing former footballer Rio Ferdinand is to go on trial accused of breaching a restraining order.
The 44-year-old, who was listed in court documents as Susan Okoya – but gave her name in court as Susanne Ibru, was convicted in 2011, and a 10-year restraining order was put in place to stop her contacting the sports star and his family.
She is charged with breaching the order by making indirect contact with Ferdinand on May 4 this year.
Susan Okoya was convicted of harassing former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (Matt Alexander/PA)
The defendant, who denies the charge, arrived at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court with her hair dyed pink, wearing a white trouser suit with only a bra underneath her jacket.
She was jailed for 10 weeks in May 2011 under the name Ibru after the footballer told her trial that she left him fearing for his family’s safety by turning up at his home and demanding to speak to him.
During the short hearing, Ibru was told told she must not enter any London borough and must not contact Ferdinand.
Standing at the back of the court, she said her hairdresser and children are in London, adding: “You can’t tell me not to enter any London borough.”
Before leaving the court room the defendant, whose address was given as Lloyds Hotel in Bournemouth, said: “This is bulls***.”
A trial date was set for October 6 at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court.