Andy Carroll Avoids Prison After Breaching Court Financial Orders in Dispute With Ex-Wife

Former England football star Andy Carroll narrowly avoided a prison sentence over a financial dispute with his reality TV star ex-wife. A judge said Carroll could have been jailed after repeatedly breaching an order banning him from making non-essential spending.

A hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court heard that Carroll had spent £69,181 that he was supposed to keep available for a five-day financial hearing scheduled for next month.

However, his lawyer said: “Given the substantial sums involved, including significant legal costs, £69,000 is a drop in the ocean.”

Carroll was worth £19 million according to the 2019 Sunday Times Rich List.

The 37-year-old former striker appeared in court against his 38-year-old former TOWIE star wife, Billie Mucklow, after admitting to breaching five financial orders.

Among the expenses, Carroll reportedly spent £5,556 on new wheels for his car, gave £10,000 to his girlfriend’s brother, and paid for construction work on his parents’ home.

Jenna Lucas, representing Mucklow, insisted: “Not one of these expenditures was necessary. As I understand it, he completely ignored the court order.”

Lauren Ranson, representing Carroll, said: “He is not someone who is particularly good at managing his finances.

“He has other people who deal with those matters. His focus has been on his professional football career.”

Carroll appeared in court alongside his girlfriend, Lou Teasdale. District Judge Teresa Fox decided that imprisonment would be “disproportionate” and instead fined him £20,000.

He is also due to face trial next year over allegations that he breached a non-molestation order.

The former Newcastle United, Liverpool and West Ham striker joined Southern League Premier Division South side Dagenham in 2025 after spells with French clubs Amiens and Bordeaux.