Footballer Joshua Scott cleared of assault

A League Two footballer has been cleared of common assault on a woman in a nightclub.

Joshua Scott was found not guilty at the Old Bailey of attacking Charlotte Wheeler at the Mayfair Club in central London in August 2010.

However he was bound over to keep the peace for 12 months and £250, which means if he commits a breach of the peace in the next year he will be punished for any offence and fined.

Scott, 26, from Enfield, north London, plays for Essex-based Dagenham and Redbridge.

The court heard that he is on a "modest income" of £33,000 per year.

Judge John Bevan QC told him: "Professional footballers at whatever level set a pretty poor example in some cases. We read about them in the papers all the time because they are in the public eye.

"Looking at your record, you have to be mindful of that and behave as befits someone in the public eye.

"Although you are on a modest income, you set an example to the young and so far the example that you set hasn't been a very good one."

The judge added: "I hope you will view this whole experience as an unpleasant one which you would not wish to repeat."

No evidence was offered in relation to a separate allegation of causing grievous bodily harm to another woman, Amy Somers.

PA