A Sunderland footballer has been cleared of raping a girl he met on a relationship web site.
Jack Diamond, 23, was accused of groping then raping the alleged sufferer on the home he then shared with staff mate Anthony Patterson in May 2022.
Newcastle Crown Court has heard Sunderland winger Diamond had invited the girl, who he met on Tinder, to spend the evening and there had been some sexual exercise earlier than they fell asleep.
But prosecutors claimed Diamond then awakened, began to ‘really feel and caress’ her and she or he requested him to cease however he carried on.
Diamond, of Fatfield, Washington, Tyne and Wear, denied rape and assault by penetration all through the case and was at this time discovered not responsible on each fees.
Diamond, of Fatfield, Washington, Tyne and Wear, denied rape and assault by penetration all through the case and was at this time discovered not responsible on each fees
Jack Diamond, 23, was accused of groping then raping the alleged sufferer on the home he then shared with staff mate Anthony Patterson
On Monday, a jury took about quarter-hour to search out Jack Diamond not responsible of each fees
Speaking outdoors the steps of court docket following his acquittal, Diamond mentioned he is now trying ahead to enjoying soccer once more.
He mentioned: ‘I’ve at this time been acquitted of all fees at Newcastle Crown Court.
‘I’ve at all times maintained my innocence and at this time marks my whole exoneration underlined by the jury reaching its verdict in seven minutes.
‘I’m grateful to the jury for contemplating the proof fastidiously and for reaching what’s the right conclusion.
‘I at all times mentioned I used to be trying into clearing my identify in court docket.’
He added: ‘The final 18 months have been massively difficult.
‘I wish to thank my authorized staff Mrs Laws KC, Mr Derbyshire and the whole staff for his or her dedication and ability.
‘I might additionally wish to thank all my household and pals who’ve been with me throughout this time.
‘I now look ahead to resuming my profession.’
On Monday, a jury took about quarter-hour to search out him not responsible of each fees.
Applause could possibly be heard from the general public gallery after the verdicts had been introduced.
After being requested to sit down following the announcement, Diamond put his head in his hand and began sobbing.
During the trial Diamond gave proof from the witness field and mentioned it was he who refused to have intercourse with the girl, which left her in a ‘huff’.
He informed jurors he grew up in Washington and signed his first skilled soccer contract with Sunderland at age simply 16, then frolicked on mortgage with different golf equipment.
Diamond mentioned he made it clear on his Tinder relationship profile he was in search of one thing ‘not severe’.
He mentioned on the evening in query he invited the girl over to ‘chill out’ and ‘cuddle’.
He informed jurors the girl acquired into his mattress with him and added: ‘We simply began cuddling, touching one another. We had been each touching one another.
‘It lasted a short time then began to get a bit extra heated, she mounted me and acquired on high of me.’
Diamond mentioned he informed the girl he didn’t assume intercourse was a ‘good thought’ and defined to the jury this was as a result of he feared issues ‘getting a bit too severe’.
He mentioned after being rejected, the girl turned away from him in mattress and gave the impression to be in a ‘huff’.
Diamond mentioned to ‘consolation’ the girl he began to provoke issues once more they usually began kissing.
He mentioned he then acquired on high of her however she informed him ‘I believe the second has gone’ they usually stopped.
Jack Diamond pictured enjoying for Sunderland throughout a primary spherical match within the Carabao Cup
Diamond mentioned the girl left the home shortly afterwards and informed jurors: ‘Reflecting on it now, perhaps reveals she needed some sort of consideration, for me to say one thing extra to her, ask her to remain.’
His barrister Eleanor Laws KC requested Diamond if he did something to the girl with out consent and he replied: ‘Absolutely not’.
Miss Laws requested Diamond if he would ever ‘keep it up’ after a girl requested to cease and he informed the court docket: ‘I might by no means, ever consider doing that, ever.’
Miss Laws requested Diamond if he had raped or sexually assaulted the girl and he replied: ‘Absolutely not’.
In her closing speech, Eleanor Laws KC, defending Diamond, mentioned he was ‘not the entitled, conceited footballer who thought the world owed him all the pieces, however a 19-year-old man (when he first met the complainant) who made errors.’
Ms Law informed jurors: ‘He will not be on trial for being immature, he’s not on trial for making errors, he’s not on trial for misreading the indicators about whether or not he had damage somebody.’
The participant was on mortgage with Lincoln City final season however the deal was terminated after he was charged, and Sunderland suspended him.