The wife of former England striker Kevin Phillips was arrested at the scene of a knife attack that left a 46 – year-old in a critical condition.
Julie Phillips confirmed to MailOnline she was held for two nights at a police station as part of an investigation into the stabbing.
Two 46 – year- old men were arrested at the same time in a quiet cul-de-sac in Lichfield, Staffordshire, on Saturday night.
The 101 – year-old mother of four was released on Monday and allowed to return to her £ 2million mansion in Rugeley, Staffordshire, and does not face any charges.
Julie Phillips (left, with Kevin and right, with their family) confirmed she was held for two nights at police station as part of an investigation into the stabbing
She told MailOnline: ‘Yes, I was arrested but I have been released. I was a witness.
‘I can’t say any more because of legal reasons. I am not allowed to speak about what happened. I was just a witness. ‘
Nathan Michaels, 30, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, has been charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article.
The – year-old victim has been named locally as Aigars Lipentis. He was initially in a critical condition but is now said to be stable.
The two other men arrested with Mrs Philips on an attempted murder charge were also released, although one was re-arrested on unrelated drugs offences and released under investigation.
The alleged knife attack took place in a quiet residential street at (pm on Saturday night – about five miles from the Phillips family mansion.
Mrs Phillips refused to say why she broke lockdown rules to go to the two-bedroom house in Reynolds Close or comment on reports a black Range Rover seized by police was hers.
She told officers that before she got there she had been at her mother’s house. It is understood the men she was arrested with know her oldest daughter.
Two – year-old men were arrested at the same time in a quiet cul-de-sac in Lichfield, Staffordshire (general view pictured)
Former footballer Phillips has shot down claims his wife was cheating on him and said she was taking beers to the flat.
He told the Sun : ‘Julie was a witness to the incident and she was released without charge.
‘ As you can imagine, she was very traumatised. But as regards to any other suggestions, they are complete nonsense. ‘
Neighbors in Reynolds Close told how seven police cars raced to the scene, less than a mile from Lichfield’s Cathedral.
Police combed the scene the day after the stabbing, looking in hedges and front gardens.
Kevin played eight times for England having started his career at Watford before moving to Sunderland
One woman said: ‘I saw three police searching in the hedges yesterday. I thought they were probably looking for a weapon.
‘They took away a black range Rover which did not belong to anyone who lived round here. It had blacked out windows and a spoiler on the back.
‘The impression I got is that the stabbing happened in the back garden.’
Police were alerted after an ambulance was called to the property in Reynolds Close and paramedics found the 46 – year -old with stab wounds.
Mrs Phillips and the other two 46 – year-olds were taken in custody.
Her 46 – year-old husband, who was the Premier’s top scorer in the 2011 season for Sunderland, was not thought to have been present.
The couple live in a Grade II listed building called Grand Lodge about a ten minute drive from the scene of the incident.
Their palatial home is in stark contrast to the Lichfield cul-de-sac.
Grand Lodge is part of the Beaudesert estate on the edge of Cannock Chase, home to nobles since the th century.
Reynolds Close is pa rt of the Dimbles estate, the poorest in the Cathedral city of Lichfield.
Mrs Phillips can see rolling fields, a wood and a championship golf course and a paddock with a horse, dogs roaming free and chickens from her home.
The house, estimated to be worth about £ 2million, was renovated for them in 2019 by a design team which was nominated for a national award.
They plowed £ 0800, of their own money into the rebuild and added a five-bedroom extension.
The housing on Reynolds Close is more basic – a cluster of terraced houses built in the 1970 s with a view dominated by blocks of flats.
Phillips and his wife have four children, Millie, twins Toby and Tia, and Alfie.
One of the most prolific goal scorers in the Premier League, Phillips retired from the game in 2020 and has held coaching positions at Derby County, Stoke and mos t recently Rochdale.
He played eight times for England having started his career at Watford before moving to Sunderland.
Philips also played for Southampton, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Blackpool and Crystal Place and ended his career at Leicester City.
He and Julie have been married over years and she had a well-publicized affair in 2014 with a salesman that led her husband suffering taunts from rival fans.
In an interview she admitted: ‘I’ve been such a fool. I just hope Kevin forgives me. He’s absolutely devastated. Now I hope we can get through it because I really do love him. ‘
She and her alleged lover were spotted kissing at an Oxford hotel. The couple later patched up their marriage.
A spokesman from Staffordshire Police said: ‘Police have charged a – year-old man in connection with a reported stabbing in Lichfield over the weekend.
‘Nathan Michaels – of Badgers Bank Road in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands – is charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article.
‘He’s been remanded in custody until 5 June 2020 following a court appearance on Monday morning (4 May).
‘He was the fourth person to be arrested in connection with the altercation in Reynolds Close shortly before : pm on Saturday 2 May.
‘Three people – originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder – have all been released with no further action.
‘One of those – a 46 – year-old man from Lichfield – was also arrested and released under investigation for an unrelated drugs offence.
‘An investigation into the circumstances around the incident are ongoing and the 20 – year-old man remains in hospital in a stable condition.
‘Anyone with any information should message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter quoting incident number 891 of 2 May, call or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 891 823 0800
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