Footballer rape claims girl 'may sue'
A 17-year-old girl who accused two Premiership footballers of taking part in an alleged “gang rape” was today considering a civil action after the Crown Prosecution Service announced they would not be charged due to “insufficient evidence”.
The alleged attack was said to have taken place in September at the exclusive Grosvenor House Hotel in central London. The teenager alleged she willingly had sex with one man but was then gang-raped by others.
Scotland Yard’s Operation Sapphire team, which handles sex crimes, launched an investigation and interviewed Newcastle United defender Titus Bramble, 22, and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole, 19, who is currently on loan to Charlton Athletic, as well as two other men – party organiser Nicholas Meikle, 29, and his friend Jason Edwards, 26.
All four men were due to answer bail next week.
Last night, CPS lawyer Claire Ward, a specialist rape prosecutor, said: “We have now carefully reviewed all the evidence in the case in accordance with the code for Crown prosecutors and have concluded that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction against any of the four suspects for any offence.
“The file was also sent to Treasury counsel for advice and counsel independently reached the same conclusion.”
The CPS said its advice was passed to police last night, who informed the complainant and suspects’ solicitors of the decision.
Max Clifford, spokesman for the teenager, said she was “devastated”.
He said: “I have spoken to the girl and her father and they are both devastated. She is distraught.
“I think that from everything that has been said by the police in the last couple of months to them, they were totally convinced that it would go ahead.
“The indication coming from the police was that they thought that there would be a prosecution.
“So the news has come as a real shock and a huge disappointment.”
Asked about the prospect of a civil case, Mr Clifford said he would be talking to the teenager today. “Obviously there are options open. It is a question of what she wants to do.”
A statement issued by the players’ lawyer, Graham Shear, said the decision marked an end of the “exhaustive” police investigation.
He said: “It has been confirmed by the authorities that neither Titus Bramble nor Carlton Cole are to be charged with any offence in relation to the alleged events of last September at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
“My clients have always categorically denied these allegations and this significant announcement marks the closure to an exhaustive four-month police investigation and demonstrates that my clients have not committed any crime whatsoever.”
He said the footballers had cooperated fully with all police inquiries and were now thankful that the “speculation” could end.
“No further comment will be made by my clients or their families,” Mr Shear added.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The Metropolitan Police submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service in November 2003 regarding an allegation of rape and sexual assault made by a 17-year-old female.
“We have been informed by the CPS that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction in this case.
“As such the four men arrested during the course of this investigation will face no further action by police in connection with this matter.”
The players were not initially identified when news of the alleged rape was first reported.
Rumours about their identities flooded the internet and at one point England and Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer issued a statement denying his involvement.
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