Former Premier League winger Jordon Ibe, 30, pleaded guilty to assault after pulling a braid from his ex‑girlfriend’s head during an argument outside her Lambeth home in December.

Ibe, who played for Bournemouth and Liverpool and was an England under‑21 international, had originally denied the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in March. Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard that the incident left Ms Mayson with a bald patch and that the altercation began when she demanded repayment of money she said he owed.

Prosecutors described Ibe as carrying a bag of drinks, snacks and flowers, but when Ms Mayson threw muffins on the floor and called him a “druggy” he grabbed her by the hair. A victim impact statement read to the court said the attack deeply affected her confidence, self‑esteem and self‑worth, and that the injury is a constant reminder of the event.