Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey could have a plea listening to on the Previous Bailey subsequent month to face prices of raping two girls.
The 32-year-old, who was charged 4 days after leaving the north London membership when his contract expired again in June, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom this morning to face 5 counts of rape and one depend of sexual assault.
He’s accused of two counts of rape in opposition to one girl and three counts in opposition to one other. The sexual assault allegation pertains to a 3rd girl, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has stated.
Carrying a black zip-neck jumper and carrying a navy blazer as he entered the court docket, Partey stood along with his arms behind his again within the dock.
He was granted conditional bail and can seem at Crown Courtroom on September 2.
Partey spoke to verify his title, date of delivery and gave his handle.
Thomas Partey has been granted conditional bail after arriving at Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom charged with 5 counts of rape in opposition to two girls and one depend of sexual assault
Partey, 32, was charged 4 days after his contract with Arsenal expired
Individuals from the Arsenal Supporters Towards Sexual Violence Group gathered with this banner
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward, KC, stated: ‘He is charged with six sexual offences, 5 of rape, one in every of sexual assault. He was first arrested in relation to 2 of the fees on 4 July 2022 and launched underneath investigation on 2 August 2023.
‘He has attended in the course of the course of the previous three years three voluntary interviews. A postal requisition was despatched on 4 July 2025 requiring his attendance at present for a primary look.
‘5 of the offences, the fees of rape, are indictable solely offences and the one risk for this court docket is to ship them to the crown court docket.’
On the sexual assault allegation, she stated: ‘The complainant attended Mr Partey’s handle and he sexually assaulted her by mendacity on prime of her, attempting to kiss her and touching her throughout her physique over clothes with out consent.
‘She tried to push him off and after a few minutes he stopped.’
His bail situations state he can’t contact any of the three girls and should notify police of any everlasting adjustments of handle or worldwide journey.
Protesters held up an indication criticising Arsenal’s alleged dealing with of the case when he arrived at court docket. It learn: ‘Arsenal stated: ‘We do the suitable factor’. Then did nothing.’
The alleged offences befell between 2021 and 2022. The Metropolitan Police stated it first obtained reviews of an allegation of rape in February 2022.
Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 and made 35 appearances within the Premier League final season
He’s additionally an skilled worldwide for Ghana and has been capped 51 occasions up to now
The CPS stated the fees got here after it ‘fastidiously reviewed a complete file of proof’ throughout an intensive three-year probe.
‘Thomas Partey denies all the fees in opposition to him,’ his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire stated.
‘He has absolutely cooperated with the police and CPS all through their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the chance to lastly clear his title. On condition that there at the moment are ongoing authorized proceedings, my consumer is unable to remark additional.’
His first look in court docket got here as he finalises a transfer to Spanish membership Villarreal.
Partey joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atletico Madrid in a deal price round £45million.
He made 35 appearances within the Premier League final season, scoring 4 targets.
Arsenal have been beforehand in talks over extending Partey’s contract however an settlement couldn’t be reached, leading to him leaving as a free agent. Head coach Mikel Arteta had described him as a ‘actually necessary participant for us’.
Throughout Arsenal’s pre-season tour within the Far East, following Partey being charged, Arteta stated he was ‘100 per cent’ snug with how the membership dealt with the case.
Nonetheless, the Arsenal Supporters Towards Sexual Violence Group gathered outdoors Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom to protest the membership’s alleged actions.
‘Whereas we recognise that every one people are presumed harmless till confirmed responsible, we’d discover any situation through which a membership was to repeatedly choose and promote a participant underneath investigation for sexual offences deeply regarding,’ the group beforehand stated.
‘This is able to give the suggestion that success on the pitch far outweighs respect for victims of sexual violence.’
An Arsenal spokesperson beforehand stated: ‘The participant’s contract ended on June 30. As a consequence of ongoing authorized proceedings the membership is unable to touch upon the case.’
