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Linfield man to be freed on bail | Linfield man to be freed on bail |
(10 minutes later) | |
The captain of Belfast football club Linfield is to be released on bail from a Spanish prison, after appearing before a judge in Madrid. | |
William Murphy was arrested last month in Torremolinos, on suspicion of having brought counterfeit money into Spain on a previous visit two years ago. | |
He will appear in court again within the next two months. | |
His bail conditions state that he can only return to Belfast with the express permission of the judge. | His bail conditions state that he can only return to Belfast with the express permission of the judge. |
He was accompanied in court on Wednesday by his father and a Spanish defence lawyer. | He was accompanied in court on Wednesday by his father and a Spanish defence lawyer. |
Mr Murphy spent just five minutes before the judge at the Audiencia Nacional - Spain's national criminal court. | Mr Murphy spent just five minutes before the judge at the Audiencia Nacional - Spain's national criminal court. |
He was told he could leave prison later on Wednesday, pending a full court hearing within the next two months. | He was told he could leave prison later on Wednesday, pending a full court hearing within the next two months. |
Plea bargain | Plea bargain |
He will have to report to the police every two weeks while on bail. | |
It is thought he will initially stay at a relative's house in southern Spain. | |
Mr Murphy cannot return home without the judge's permission | Mr Murphy cannot return home without the judge's permission |
The original accusation, of bringing counterfeit money into Spain, carries a minimum prison sentence of eight years. | The original accusation, of bringing counterfeit money into Spain, carries a minimum prison sentence of eight years. |
However the player's lawyer is understood to be negotiating a plea bargain - in which Mr Murphy might admit to unwittingly handling false bank notes, in return for a non-custodial sentence. | However the player's lawyer is understood to be negotiating a plea bargain - in which Mr Murphy might admit to unwittingly handling false bank notes, in return for a non-custodial sentence. |
Wearing a short-sleeve shirt, dark trousers and handcuffs, Mr Murphy looked relaxed. | Wearing a short-sleeve shirt, dark trousers and handcuffs, Mr Murphy looked relaxed. |
Shortly before the hearing he told the BBC's Spain Correspondent Steve Kingstone he was being treated well and sent his thanks to family members and club supporters back home. | Shortly before the hearing he told the BBC's Spain Correspondent Steve Kingstone he was being treated well and sent his thanks to family members and club supporters back home. |
Asked about the accusations, he said they related to a night at disco in Mallorca two years ago. | Asked about the accusations, he said they related to a night at disco in Mallorca two years ago. |
He denied knowingly having committed any crime. | He denied knowingly having committed any crime. |