20/05/2004

Charges dropped against Leicester City trio

The three Leicester City players accused of sexually assaulting three women in the Spanish resort of La Manga last February have seen all charges against them dropped.

The club's captain Paul Dickov and players Frank Sinclair and Keith Gillespie had been charged with 'sexual aggression', which carries a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison. The players consistently denied the charges which arose out of an alleged incident involving three German women at a hotel while the team were on a training camp.

The club welcomed the news, saying that it was pleased that what has been a "very difficult time for a large number of players and their families is now at an end".

The statement added: "Our players have consistently pleaded their innocence of all the charges made against them and they are delighted that their innocence has now been recognised by the Spanish authorities.

"As a club, we have consistently maintained our total faith in the Spanish judicial system and welcome the news that justice has been seen to be done."

Mr Dickov, Mr Sinclair and Mr Gillespie were formally released in March on combined bail of £196,500 after spending a week in a jail in Murcia.

(gmcg)

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