Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka has launched High Court legal action against his ex-girlfriend over Instagram posts about their relationship.
The 22-year-old right back is bringing a claim against Rhianna Bentley, objecting to her activities on social media after their romance ended.
Wan-Bissaka, along with his new partner April Francis, allege misuse of personal information and harassment and are seeking an injunction against his ex to stop her from posting any more material about him online, the High Court heard today.
A brief note to the court explained that Wan-Bissaka and Ms Francis - “his partner and the mother of his new-born child” - are jointly bringing the legal action.
"On 18 and 19 October 2020, the respondent posted two Instagram stories which disclosed private and confidential information relating to the applicants, and which amounted to harassment of the applicants.
“The applicants are seeking an Interim Non-Disclosure Order to prevent further harassment of them by the respondent, and to prohibit the respondent from disclosing further private and confidential information relating to them.”
Ms Bentley, 21, represented herself at a High Court hearing this morning, asking for a delay until Monday so that she could hire a lawyer.
Mr Justice Nicklin told her: “This legal action has come about because of several posts you have made on Instagram.”
Wan-Bissaka’s lawyer Adam Speker told the court he would not oppose a short delay in the case but was concerned about Ms Bentley’s social media activity in the meantime.
“She hasn’t engaged with us to date, she hasn’t engaged with the email sent by my instructing solicitors, or the letter of claim”, he said.
The judge then asked Ms Bentley: “Are you intending to publish, between now and Monday - post online material that relates to the period when you and the first claimant (Wan-Bissaka) were in a relationship?”
When she replied “no”, the judge asked her to sign a written undertaking to the court that she would keep her promise.
Ms Francis was listening in to today’s virtual hearing but did not speak, while Wan-Bissaka was not listed as being present.
The footballer is being represented by Manchester-based law firm Brandsmiths.
The application for an injunction was adjourned until next Monday.
