Six rugby league players arrested after rape claim

Joanne Ginley

SIX rugby league players from a Yorkshire Super League team have been arrested on suspicion of rape in the North- East, where the club is on a pre-season training exercise.

The players from Huddersfield Giants squad were questioned by police in Newcastle upon Tyne after a 22-year-old woman claimed she had been raped early on Tuesday. Police said last night that the six had been released on bail.

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The team was staying at the Gosforth Marriott Hotel, Newcastle, after arriving on Monday for a team-building exercise and training.

Huddersfield Giants managing director Richard Thewlis said there would be an internal inquiry into the allegation.

In a statement on the club’s website, he said: “I can confirm that six of our playing squad are currently helping police with their inquiries in the Newcastle area regarding an allegation made in the early hours of Tuesday morning by an unnamed female.

“The club has fully co-operated with all requests made of us by the police and we are now awaiting further information from them.”

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The statement said Mr Thewlis had travelled up to the North -East to conduct the club’s own inquiry into the circumstances.

Later, members of the squad left the hotel and boarded the team coach to head off to training.

Mr Thewlis later issued a further statement on the club’s website in respect of the allegations made against members of the squad from the team’s training base. It confirmed that the players had been released on bail while further inquiries were carried out.

Mr Thewlis said: “I have already confirmed that six of our players were detained by Northumbria police investigating a serious allegation. All have been bailed whilst the police continue to conduct their inquiries.

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“The club appreciates that the police have a duty to thoroughly investigate all allegations of this nature. We will assist them in any way requested.

“The police will now gather the facts and reach their conclusions. Any speculation is frivolous and risks damaging the reputation of innocent parties. So the full Giants squad will continue to train in Newcastle.

“Once the investigation has been concluded the club will make a further statement. Until then no further comment will be made by any of our players or staff in relation to this matter.”

A spokesman for Northumbria Police confirmed the players had been released on bail.

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A statement said: “Northumbria Police can confirm that a 22-year-old woman has made an allegation of rape following an incident in Gosforth, Newcastle, in the early hours of January 19.

“Six men have been arrested and are currently helping with inquiries.”