ROYTON Town footballer Arron Scholes has appeared in court charged with beating up a man during a pub brawl.
The 19-year-old son of Manchester United legend Paul Scholes was alleged to have “laughed hysterically’’ during the assault.
It is claimed he even took a picture of the complainant’s face before continuing with the attack.
The alleged victim named as Robert Kember was not able to give full details of his ordeal due to the “nature of the assault and effect on him,’’ JPs at Tameside magistrates court were told.
Scholes was later charged over the incident in June last year at an unnamed pub in Uppermill.
The youngster was accompanied to court by his 44-year old father, mother Claire and younger sister Alicia, 17.
He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth, then entered his not guilty plea to a charge of assault by beating.
He will face a trial at the same court in March and if convicted could face up to six months jail.
Earlier, Scholes listened as prosecution lawyers outlined the allegations against him.
Prosecutor Andrea Griffiths said: “I ask you to list this matter for trial. This matter involves an assault upon the complainant who was out drinking in the Uppermill area on June 18 last year.
“The complainant was assaulted by being repeatedly punched and is not able to give any particular detail due to the nature of the assault and the effect upon him.
“An eyewitness, the landlady, observed what she described as a lasting and continued assault where this defendant punched the complainant five or six times.
“Then he stopped and was described as laughing hysterically before taking a photo of his face then continuing. We are awaiting CCTV from the police.”
Defence solicitor Catherine Gaynor said: “There will be a number of defence witnesses, namely three. The trial will last for a day and has the potential of going on to two days.”
Scholes junior was granted unconditional bail and told to reappear at the same court on March 18, 2019.