Khiara Keating pleads not guilty to nitrous oxide possession in Manchester

Khiara Keating, a 20-year-old footballer for Manchester City and member of the England Lionesses, appeared in court to face charges of possessing nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as 'hippy crack.' The incident arose after a road traffic accident in June, which was witnessed by police officers who conducted a breath test on her, yielding negative results. However, the officers suspected drug use and discovered canisters in her vehicle. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Khiara's mother, Nicola, was also charged with possession. Both women pleaded not guilty, asserting that the canisters belonged to friends who had misused their trust by hosting a party at Khiara's home while she was away. Nicola attempted to dispose of the canisters, claiming they were hers, but police did not accept this explanation. Defense attorney Isaac Mirza argued that Khiara had no possession of the canisters, stating that her fingerprints would not be found on them. He emphasized that the items were left in her car by others who had accessed her property without permission. Nicola's efforts to dispose of the canisters included a visit to a recycling center to find a safe way to get rid of them. The case has been adjourned, with a trial scheduled to commence on November 17th next year, expected to last a day and a half. The outcome of this trial will determine the legal consequences for both Khiara and Nicola Keating regarding the possession of the Class C drug.