Warning – Disastrous details included: Former Arenaal midfielder Thomas Party appeared in court charged with eight counts of rape and one count of sexual assault and was given conditional bail
Football player Thomas Party appeared in court this morning, where he was charged with eight counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The 32-year-old, charged four days after leaving the North London Club when his contract expired in June, arrived in court at about 9:15am wearing a full-black ensemble for a 10am hearing. He spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC filed a lawsuit against Partey, who listened to the dock. She explained how there are three petitioners. He allegedly raped two of them and sexually assaulted others, with crimes allegedly committed between 2021 and 2022.
Partey previously denied all charges against him.
Ledward told the court that Partey was charged with anal rape of the first petitioner. The second charge relating to the same claimant is related to “at least four” allegations of anal rape.
Claim 3 relates to the second complainant who is allegedly raped in 2021. The four people associated with the same complaint are one of the anal rapes allegedly committed in 2022.
The sixth charge against Partey was one of the sexual assaults, but it is allegedly abusing a third complainant at his address by kissing her and trying to touch her clothes.
The petitioner pushed him away, and he stopped him, “a few minutes later.” The court was told that all six charges were sent to be heard in the old Bailey, appearing on September 2.
Judge Paul Goldspring told the party: “You face six charges, five of which are prosecutable, meaning they have to be sent to Crown Court. If it is a related offence, you can send a sixth claim. In this case, you will be sent to the Central Criminal Court.
He was released on bail on the condition that he must not contact any of the applicants and that the police must notify the police of their address or international travel changes and the address where they will stay for at least 14 days.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid on the Spanish side in 2020 and became a regular at manager Mikel Arteta who last month said the club was “100% sure” following the correct protocol.
Partey made 35 appearances for the Gunners last season and scored four goals.
Partey is currently approaching joining the Spanish side of Villarreal, agreeing to personal terms with the club. As part of his bail conditions, there were no restrictions on travel.
