Pop Star Keisha Buchanan, Member of Girl Group Sugababes, Was ‘Beaten and Controlled by Ex’ for 3 Years, Court Hears

A British popstar has accused her ex-partner of spending three years harassing her while also demonstrating coercive and controlling behavior.

On Thursday, May 8, Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard allegations of how Keisha Buchanan was beaten and blocked from wearing red lipstick by Taiwo Leo Atieno during their 10-year relationship. Per prosecutors, the soccer star, 39, who played for Kenya and Luton Town, also allegedly controlled Buchanan’s finances, when she could shower, and eating habits, UK newspapers The Standard and Metro reported. 

He is also accused of preventing the Sugababes singer, 40, from watching TV, only allowing her to go to the gym at “certain times” and demanding $33,000 [£25,000] from her.

The pair reportedly met in 2006 and began dating in 2011, while the alleged abuse took place between 2015 and 2018, the outlets reported. 

Buchanan went to the police in December last year to report the “campaign of terror and abuse” she allegedly suffered, according to The Standard.

Atieno allegedly harassed the “About You Now” singer after their relationship ended, while also breaching a court order banning contact.

He reportedly sent texts, emails and made social media contact for three years. 

“The offending is severe in its nature and has caused […] problems for the defendant, both psychological and physical,” Prosecutor Edward Kalber said, according to Metro. 

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“The complainant states that while she lived with the defendant, she wasn’t allowed to open her own letters or sort out her finances,” he continued. “The complainant would have to ask for money whenever she wanted it.”

“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,” Kalber added. “This then fed into her dietary issues, due to the defendant controlling what she was allowed to eat.”

Having been allegedly assaulted three times, Buchanan had to undergo physiotherapy due to the physical abuse, Metro reported. 

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Atieno is charged with controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2015 and May 2018, assault occasioning actual bodily harm between January 2012 and January 2015, harassment between January 2021 and December last year, and an alleged breach of a non-molestation order, per The Standard.

The Brixton-born forward of Kennington, southwest London, indicated not guilty pleas to all four charges against him when he appeared in the dock on Thursday, according to the outlet.

His lawyer, Eli Belegu, told the court that Atieno was Buchanan’s business manager. 

“This is absolutely misleading as far as he is concerned,” she said, according to MailOnline. “He denies that she ever had to ask him for money. The defendant is not a flight risk. The defendant has no intention of leaving the country and will attend further hearings.”

“The defendant is not at risk of committing further offenses,” Belegu added.

Buchanan also contests that he breached a court order.

Atieno was remanded back into custody following the court appearance. Deputy District Judge Clare Boichot has sent the case to Harrow Crown Court, with a preliminary hearing set for June 5.

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Buchanan was one of the original members of the Sugababes alongside singers Mutya Buena and Siobhán Donaghy.

Before splitting up in 2011, the girl group topped the charts with songs such as “Push the Button” and “Round Round.” The trio has since reunited and has had a successful run of arena shows and festival appearances, including Glastonbury 2024. 

The Sugababes didn’t immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on May 9.