Brighton footballers appear in court over sex assault charge

Four footballers have appeared in court accused of sexual assault and voyeurism against a woman at a hotel.

Brighton and Hove Albion stars Lewis Dunk, 20, Anton Rodgers, 19, George Barker, 20, and their former team-mate Steve Cook, 21, who moved to AFC Bournemouth, indicated pleas of not guilty to both charges.

Prosecutor Amanda Burrows told Brighton and Hove Magistrates' Court that the alleged offences happened at the Jury's Inn hotel in Brighton on July 17 last year.

All four men were arrested by Sussex Police officers in January and made their first appearance this morning in front of a courtroom packed with friends and relatives.

Rodgers and Barker, both of Highview Avenue North, Brighton, Dunk, of Woodbourne Avenue, Brighton, and Cook, of Perth Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, spoke only to confirm their personal details during the hearing.

All four were granted conditional bail and must return to the same court at 10am on July 6.

PA