Footballer sex accused 'posed for photo', court hears

A footballer told a court today that he had exposed himself in front of a sleeping teenager so his team-mates could take a photograph.

George Barker, 21, said he and five other footballers were "laughing and joking" in the Brighton hotel room where the 19-year-old had joined them.

Barker told the Old Bailey that his friend, Anton Rodgers (aged 20), the son of Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, was the first to pull his boxer shorts down and pose for a picture.

Brighton and Hove Albion players Barker, Rodgers, Leon Dunk (aged 21) and former team-mate Steve Cook (aged 21) who now plays for Bournemouth, deny sexual assault and voyeurism.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in July 2011 after the Brighton players went clubbing to celebrate a win.

The woman, who is now 21, admitted telling police "a pack of lies" after missing work the next day but said she revealed what happened after a row with her boyfriend months later.

Barker, the first of the players to give evidence, said he and Rodgers returned to their room at the Jury's Inn Hotel and went to bed.

He was woken by the sound of voices and saw the woman sitting on their double bed.

He said: "She was talking to us, having a laugh and joking, getting involved in the banter.

"She got into the bed and got in between us under the duvet. We carried on laughing and joking for about 15 minutes.

"Then she started kissing Anton, kissing his lips, snogging. She then rolled over and started kissing me on the lips.

"It was a bit of a shock to start with. She rolled back to Anton and started kissing him again, then she rolled back again and then started kissing me again. Then she fell asleep."

He said fellow players Ben Sampayo and Leon Redwood were also in the room.

Barker said: "I remember there was talking, suggesting photographs would be taken.

"I remember someone saying: 'Anton, you have got the biggest d***, so get it out'.

"It was to make the boys laugh, I guess."

He said Rodgers posed for a photograph standing on the bed next to the woman with his penis exposed.

"I was laughing at him," added Barker.

He said he also pulled his boxer shorts down and posed but, like Rodgers, did not touch her.

Barker said he left the room and when he returned he saw someone had written his initials in foam on the woman's thigh, and he posed with his thumbs up next to her.

He said he saw four pictures taken before leaving the room, and the only time he saw any of the pictures was some days later when Rodgers allegedly sent him a copy of the GB picture.

The court was told it was the only picture found by police on any of the players' phones.

The trial was adjourned to tomorrow.