Ex-Watford and Barnet footballer Ashley Charles has been accused of hotel rape after a night out with an former Love Island contestant.
Charles, 23, and currently plays for National League outfit Wealdstone, allegedly forced himself on a female in the hotel room while a friend, Dennon Lewis, was sleeping nearby, as reported by Evening Standard.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how the former Watford youth players Charles and Lewis, together with a fellow footballer Michael Philips, had been out at clubs including Mahiki, Club Maddox, and Lords London on the 14th of March last year.
They had planned to meet the woman and her friend, who Lewis had been messaging on social media for a number of weeks, and at the end of the night they went back to the women’s hotel room.
Wealdstone can confirm it is aware of the legal proceedings involving one of our players and that the player has been made unavailable for selection until further notice.
— Wealdstone FC (@WealdstoneFC) July 11, 2022
Jurors in court heard how the alleged victim had consensual sex with Mr Philips during the night, and says she “woke up to find a male, Ashley Charles, on top of her”.
“Her friend had arranged to meeting Dennon Lewis, Ashley Charles and male known as Michael in London for a night out”, said PC Daniel Guy.
“When they finished the night out, they all went back to the hotel. (The friend) and Dennon shared the double bed, (she) and Michael shared a sofa, and Ashley slept on the floor.
“She and Michael had consensual sex before going to sleep. Michael woke up at around 7.30am and left the address, leaving (her) to get back to sleep.
“At around 8.15am, she woke up to find Ashley on top of her having vaginal sex with her from behind.
“She screamed for him to get off her, which woke up (her friend) and Dennon.”
Ashley Charles denies rape and insists the claim that he had sex with the woman is untrue.
Giving evidence, Mr Lewis, now playing up front for Boreham Wood FC and who appeared at Casa Amor in the fifth series of ITV reality show Love Island, said the woman was “upset” as he tried to find out what had happened.
“Obviously it’s a difficult thing to deal with – it’s a very hard one”, he told the court, giving evidence via videolink.
— Aaron (@somecaIlmejesus) July 11, 2022
“My reaction was ‘are you sure?’ – I wanted to find out exactly what happened from both sides.
“I was asking the question ‘what actually happened?’. Ash said nothing happened, he didn’t do anything. (She) was upset.
“I told Ash to go and wait in my car, while I sorted it out, and I spoke to them properly.”
He said his friend, when first accused of rape, pulled down his boxer shorts to show his penis to Mr Lewis.
“He was saying ‘does it look like I’ve done that?’”, said Mr Lewis.
“As a gentleman, you know, especially if it’s just happened.”
A friend of the alleged victim called the police, who attended the hotel room and questioned Charles.
The court heard Charles and Lewis met when they played in the Watford youth ranks, with Lewis telling the court his friend is “always respectful”.
“I met Ash through playing football. We were both playing for Watford from a young age”, he said.
“I got to know him very well, He’s an unbelievable boy, very very polite, respectful. I can’t speak highly enough of Ash. He’s a very respectful young man.”
Charles, who lives in Watford, denies rape and the trial will continue at another date.
Wealdstone released a statement during their game against Beaconsfield on Monday night, with the player said to have been on the bench and their team news post deleted.
They wrote: “Wealdstone can confirm it is aware of the legal proceedings involving one of our players and that the player has been made unavailable for selection until further notice.”
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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