Owen in battle with builder

Last updated : 13 February 2004 By Kevin Smith

The builder allegedly showed Owen's mother a computer ledger of records and made claims for work on £1.6m Lower Soughton Hall which had never been done or for which the cost had been over-estimated.

It is also claimed Michael Flynn asked for payments for work for which a main contractor had already been paid directly.

Owen also alleges the builder transferred money out of a project bank account for 'unauthorised purposes' included buying property for himself in Portugal.

The footballer has successfully restored a freezing order on Mr Flynn's assets at the County Court in Manchester.

After the hearing Michael's father Terry, who represented his son in court, declined to comment. A full hearing on the case will take place in May.