An ex-Burnley, Man Utd, Sheffield United, Notts County player’s rape trial has been set for 2024, being pushed back by more than year.
John Cofie, who was signed for more than £1million aged 14, has appeared in court accused of raping a woman in Trafford, Greater Manchester, in 2019, alongside 29 year old co-accused Nathan Stuart, from Northwich in Cheshire.
The 30 year old this week appeared at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court for the beginning of his trial. Both men denied the charges when they first entered pleas in February 2021,
The trial was set to begin on Monday but, Burnley Express report that fresh court delays meant that the hearing couldn’t take place.
An administrative hearing is planned for later this week with a new trial date set for February 19th, 2024.
Cofie now works as a football coach at a Lancashire school.
John Cofie, a former wonder-kid for Manchester United, made an appearance in court on Monday 23rd January 2023 charged with rape.
When Cofie, now 29, was barely 14 years old, Sir Alex Ferguson recruited him for the youth team and gave him a deal for £1 million. pic.twitter.com/o18Wr0jMgY
— Futball News (@FutballNews_) January 23, 2023
The Ghanaian-born English retired footballer played as a forward, launching his career with Burnley and moved to Manchester United for a fee of £1m at the age of 14, and spent much of that time in the youth set-up, but failed to make the break into the first-team.
Following loan spells with Royal Antwerp, Sheffield United and Notts County he was released by Manchester United, signing for Barnsley on a free transfer in July 2013.
He never made a first-team appearance at Barnsley before joining Norwegian outfit Molde in August 2014 and then in March 2015, he returned to England, joining Crawley Town.
He moved to Welsh side Wrexham in November 2015, then in January 2016, Cofie went to AFC Telford United before moving to Southport in June 2016, making around 30 appearances across those three spells.
Cofie moved to England at a young age and has been capped by England at under-17 level.
He began his football career as a junior player with Burnley, who rejected a £250,000 bid from Liverpool for him in November 2007.
Then the footballer refused to return to training with the club and after further interest from Chelsea, Cofie was signed by Manchester United in November 2007 and joined their Academy in July 2009.
After signing professional terms with Man Utd in 2010, he continued to play for the youth side and looked to break through into the reserve side.
In 2012, he was loaned to Belgian side Royal Antwerp to gain first-team experience and the following summer, Cofie signed a one–year loan deal with then-League One side Sheffield United for the 2012–13 season.
After making his debut in the opening game of the season against Shrewsbury Town, Cofie scored his first goal for the club a week later at Colchester United.
In January 2013, it was revealed that Cofie had returned to Manchester United, despite having expressed a desire to see out the season with the Blades.
In February 2013, Cofie joined another League One side in Notts County, on a one-month long loan deal. Cofie scored on his debut, in a 1–1 draw with Crewe Alexandra, but his deal was not extended and he returned to United in March having made seven appearances for the Magpies.
After failing to break through into their first team, Cofie was released by Manchester United at the end of the 2012–13 season.
Available on a free transfer, Cofie signed a one-year deal with Championship side Barnsley on the 19th of July 2013 and was released by Barnsley at the end of the 2013–14 season.
In August 2014, Cofie signed a contract with Tippeligaen side Molde FK and was released in January 2015 after not making a single first team appearance for the club.
Cofie went on to play for Wrexham, AFC Telford United, Southport, Bradford Park Avenue, Chorley, Stalybridge Celtic, Derry City, Hume City, Global FC.
HELPLINES
For Women (See below for Rape, Sexual Abuse & Personal Safety Abroad)
NHS
Help after rape and sexual assault
Sexual Abuse Referral Centres – Find a SARC
Sexual violence is a crime, no matter who commits it or where it happens. Don’t be afraid to get help.
SARCs are specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. They aim to be one-stop service, providing the following under one roof: medical care and forensic examination following assault/rape and, in some locations, sexual health services. Medical Services are free of charge and provided to women, men, young people and children.
Rape Crisis
Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30 & 7-9.30)
National Organisation offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and sexual abuse.
See website for local groups or contact directory enquiries.
Victim Support
Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111
Our services are confidential, free and available to anyone who’s been raped or sexually assaulted, now or in the past. We can help, regardless of whether you have told the police or anyone else about the attack. Our volunteers can visit you at home (if you want us to, and if doing so will not put you at further risk) or somewhere else if you prefer. If you don’t want to see anyone face-to-face, you can also talk to us on the ‘phone, either at one of our local offices or at the national Victim Supportline.
Women Against Rape
This is the joint website of Women Against Rape and Black Women’s Rape Action Project. Both organisations are based on self-help and provide support, legal information and advocacy. We campaign for justice and protection for all women and girls, including asylum seekers, who have suffered sexual, domestic and/or racist violence.
The Survivors Trust
Helpline: 0808 801 0818
Rape and sexual abuse can happen to anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, culture or social status. Living with the consequences of rape and sexual abuse can be devastating. We believe that all survivors are entitled to receive the best possible response to their needs whether or not they choose to report.
Women’s Aid Federation
Chat to usWomen’s Aid is the national domestic violence charity that helps up to 250,000 women and children every year. We work to end violence against women and children, and support over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the country.
For Men
Survivors UK – Male Rape and Sexual Abuse Support
We understand the effect which male rape and sexual abuse can have upon those who are forced to experience it, and we’re well aware of the traumatic process which it can set in motion. If you are a man who has suffered sexual abuse or rape in the past, you can turn to us for help. We have a range of support options to help you recover from your experience and put the past behind you.
Rape Crisis
Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12-2.30 & 7-9.30)
National Organisation offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and sexual abuse.
Many Rape Crisis Centres provide support services for men and boys who have experienced sexual violence, as a child and/or as an adult. Rape Crisis Centres that do not provide services for men or boys will be able to give you information about relevant support organisations. See website for local groups or contact directory enquiries.
Rape, Sexual Abuse & Personal Safety Abroad
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Rape & Sexual Assault Abroad – Returning to the UK
Support for British Nationals Abroad
Rape and sexual assault can happen to women and men of all ages and backgrounds. While most visits abroad are trouble-free, we are becoming more aware of people being sexually assaulted whilst they are overseas. Sexual assault is a very traumatic experience whenever and wherever it happens, but the trauma can be made even more difficult to deal with when it happens abroad. We will be as helpful as we can to anyone who tells us they have had sex against their wishes or been attacked by someone wanting sex.
Rape Crisis Network Europe
RCNE is the network of European rape crisis centres. We aim to make sure that anyone who experiences sexual violence can get the help they need. We are active in influencing policy, standards and legislation through European governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
All member centres share a ‘survivor-centred’ and anti-discriminatory approach.
When travelling abroad, most people are keen to relax and unwind. Travellers, tourists and foreign businessmen and women can be prime targets for criminals, however. In order to minimise stress on your holiday or trip, take time to plan your personal safety strategy in advance. From keeping your valuables safe to avoiding violence, a little forethought may save you from becoming a victim of crime.
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