Cole escapes police charge for shooting

Ashley Cole will not be charged over the accidental shooting of a work experience student with an air rifle at Chelsea's training ground. A Surrey police source yesterday said it was "highly unlikely" Cole would face charges over the incident in which the defender shot Tom Cowan, a sports science student who had been on placement at Chelsea's Cobham base, on 20 February.

Police officers have contacted officials at Chelsea but are understood not to have spoken to either Cole or Cowan. Cole has been fined by Chelsea but as far as the club are concerned the matter is now closed.