Titus Bramble bailed in sex assault probe

Titus Bramble has been bailed by police (GETTY IMAGES)

Premier League footballer Titus Bramble has been bailed by police after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and possession of a class A drug.

The Sunderland defender was held for questioning by Cleveland Police following an incident in the early hours of yesterday.

A force spokeswoman said: "A 30-year-old man from Wynyard has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and possession of a class A drug."

Last night she said the man had been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Last year Bramble, who played in his team's 2-1 defeat at Norwich on Monday, was arrested by Northumbria Police over an alleged rape in a Newcastle hotel but he was later released without charge.

His brother, Tesfaye, was jailed for four and a half years last month after he was convicted of raping a 19-year-old a year ago.

Bramble's career started at his home town club, Ipswich, before he moved to Newcastle United under Sir Bobby Robson for £6 million.

He joined Wigan Athletic and then moved back to the North East with Sunderland last year.

The powerful but sometimes error-prone centre back was picked 10 times for England's Under-21s.

PA