EX-PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALLER PETER BEAGRIE CONVICTED OF ASSAULT

Ex-Premier League footballer Peter Beagrie has been dismissed as a Sky Sports pundit following his conviction for assault. The 51-year-old former player for clubs including Everton, Manchester City, and Bradford City was found guilty of punching his partner, Zarah Blake, during an argument in Harrogate in April. The court sentenced him to a 12-month community order on Tuesday. Beagrie, who resides in Killinghall, North Yorkshire, stated his intention to appeal the conviction, saying, "I am innocent, something I have maintained from the outset; that is why the verdict was so devastating. I will be appealing." The trial revealed that Beagrie was angry and intoxicated at the time of the assault. In a statement after the court hearing at Skipton Magistrates Court, Beagrie expressed that he was still with Ms. Blake, adding, "This has been an upsetting and traumatic time for us and we both feel there is no other alternative but to appeal." Regarding the incident, it was reported that he punched his partner during an argument in Harrogate. Following the conviction, Sky Sports promptly terminated his contract, stating: "When we first became aware of the charge, we removed Peter from our coverage pending his case. Following the outcome, we have terminated his contract with immediate effect."