No charges against footballers in gang rape claim

Two Premiership footballers questioned over an alleged “gang rape” of a 17-year-old girl will not be charged because there is “insufficient evidence”, the Crown Prosecution Service announced tonight.

The alleged attack was said to have taken place in September at the exclusive Grosvenor House Hotel in central London.

Scotland Yard launched an investigation and interviewed Newcastle United defender Titus Bramble, 22, and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole, 19, who is currently on loan to Charlton Athletic, as well as two other men – party organiser Nicholas Meikle, 29, and his friend Jason Edwards, 26.

But tonight CPS lawyer Claire Ward, a specialist rape prosecutor, said: “We have now carefully reviewed all the evidence in the case in accordance with the code for Crown prosecutors and have concluded that there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction against any of the four suspects for any offence.

“The file was also sent to Treasury counsel for advice and counsel independently reached the same conclusion.”