Ex-soccer star to be sentenced for assault

A former England footballer was being sentenced today for assaulting a woman.

Ex-Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa player Gary Charles, 33, was appearing before Derby Crown Court to be sentenced for one charge of common assault.

The ex-England defender, who has battled alcoholism for the past 10 years, pleaded guilty to the charge last month when he admitted attacking his 30-year-old victim in Alfreton, Derbyshire, last July.

At that hearing, on April 14, Charles’s victim was invited in to court so the former Derby County, Benfica and West Ham player could apologise in person.

Trial judge Andrew Hamilton said: “This was a very unpleasant incident which happened when someone was drunk.

“It was an appalling bout of loutish, drunken behaviour.”

“Your problem quite clearly is drink and I hope the probation report will address that and suggest some form of solution.”

Charles, of Highstairs Lane, Stretton, Alfreton, was released on conditional bail until today when he will be sentenced by Judge Hamilton at Derby Crown Court.