Keisha Buchanan’s ex Taiwo Leo Atieno, 39, has been charged with assault, controlling and coercive behaviour, harassment, and an an alleged breach of a non-molestation order
Sugababes star Keisha Buchanan’s footballer ex-boyfriend appeared in court today after he allegedly assaulted the singer on three occasions. He is also accused of coercive and controlling behaviour over an alleged ten-year campaign of harassment.
Taiwo Leo Atieno, 39, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm between January 2012 and January 2015, controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2015 and May 2018, harassment between January 2021 and December last year, and an an alleged breach of a non-molestation order.
The Brixton-born professional footballer, who has made appearances for Kenya in the qualifiers for the World Cup and African Club of Nations, appeared via video link this morning from HMP Wormwood Scrubs wearing a suit and tie.
He was not asked to enter pleas and Judge Ian Bourne KC granted his release from prison on conditional bail during the Harrow Crown Court case sitting at Southwark on Thursday.
Singer Buchanan, 40, dated the former Luton Town player between 2015 and 2018 and went to the police about his alleged “course of conduct over a ten-year period” in December 2024.
His bail conditions include that he must surrender his passport by Monday afternoon.
The judge said: “There must not be any contact either directly or indirectly with the complainant Keisha Buchanan. That means any form of contact, whether it be by email or other sort of social media messaging system – any contact at all”.
Julian Malins KC, defending, said his client “fully understands it, and assures the court through us that he will abide by that”.
Atieno was also told not to apply for international travel or to enter the London Borough of Barnet.
He is due to enter pleas on August 22 this year and his trial is set for April 13 2026.
A court heard last month that Atieno is said to have assaulted Buchanan on three occasions, one so severely that it left her requiring physiotherapy treatment. One incident saw Buchanan suffer a sharp pain to her lower back – which she described as feeling as though she had been kicked.
The footballer is also accused of controlling her letters, her finances, what the singer ate and how she presented herself to people outside of the home. He also stands accused of harassing her after she called off their relationship and breached a court order which was put in place to prevent him from contacting her.
During a hearing at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in May, Prosecutor Edward Kalber said: “The offending is severe in its nature and has caused problems for the defendant, both psychological and physical.”
He added: “The complainant states that while she lived with the defendant, she wasn’t allowed to open her own letters or sort out her finances.
“The complainant would have to ask for money whenever she wanted it.” It was later heard that Atieno would get frustrated if Buchanan wore certain things. Kalber continued: “The defendant would get annoyed if the complainant wore red lipstick. He berated her and called her trashy, and told her she looked like a prostitute whenever she wore this.
“This then fed into her dietary issues, due to the defendant controlling what she was allowed to eat.” The footballer is also accused of not allowing Keisha to watch TV.
Two alleged assaults on Buchanan took place in the defendant’s bedroom, with another taking place in the front room of the property. He allegedly grabbed her around the neck, punched her on the arm and then struck her back.
One alleged attack left her experiencing a sharp pain which felt like a kick to her lower back, and she later required physiotherapy due to the alleged incident. Buchanan also claims that Atieno controlled her use of the shower while the pair were living together and she was only allowed to go to the gym at “certain times”.
Despite Buchanan blocking Atieno after they split, it’s claimed he later sent her emails and is accused of harassment over the course of three years. He also allegedly demanded £25,000 from the musician.
The footballer of Kennington, southwest London, has been remanded in custody and previously indicated not guilty pleas to all four charges made against him.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk