A man accused of sending a threatening email to a Manchester City football coach has admitted that he sent it, but says it was not a threat.

Christopher Banks became involved with the former partner of Konstantinos Milopoulos in May 2019.

Bolton Crown Court heard Banks sent an email in May 2020, from an account named as Martin Richards, to Mr Milopoulos and his employers stating he was a domestic abuser.

The email to Mr Milopoulos said he would be forced out of football and would never work with vulnerable people again.

It also contained audio recordings of exchanges bewteen Mr Milopoulos and his former partner.

The coach was suspended but investigations by the police, Manchester City, the FA and UEFA cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Mr Milopoulos told the court the email "destroyed" him.

Banks, 40, gave evidence in his own defence today.

He said his main motivation in sending the email was safeguarding concerns and he wanted to highlight "domestic abuse."

Prosecutor Adam Watkins asked there was any chance of an apology.

He said: "No, not for reporting safeguarding concerns."

Banks was asked: "Do you believe this man poses a risk?"

He replied: "100 per cent."

Mr Watkins asked why the police had taken no action against him.

He said: "My partner was too afraid to speak to the police."

Asked why he had sent the email from an anonymous account, he said it was because he did not have his partner's permission to use the video and audio recordings.

Banks was also asked why, in the email, he had posed as posed as a group which was going to make it its business to get Mr Milopoulos sacked

Banks replied that he had experience of working with groups as he had done work with the Bolton Clowncil organisation, delivering leaflets.

And he also mentioned that he had worked with the Bolton Newt group where "safeguarding is a priority."

Mr Watkins asked asked Banks if he was waging a vendetta against Mr Milopoulos.

Banks replied: "No."

Banks, from Garstang Avenue, Bolton, denies sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety.

The trial continues.