Rape investigation at hotel where Manchester United had Christmas party

GREATER Manchester Police have launched an investigation into claims a woman was raped at a hotel where the Manchester United football team was having a pre-Christmas party, said a police spokesman yesterday.

The alleged attack was said to have occurred at the trendy Great John Street hotel in Manchester in the early hours of yesterday.

Details of the allegation were not immediately available, but there was no known direct link with the team. A police spokeswoman said: “Police are currently investigating a report of rape at a hotel in Manchester city centre.

“At about 4.15am on Tuesday police were called to the hotel on Great John Street to a report a 26-year-old woman had been raped. Inquiries are continuing,” she said.

The hotel remained closed in the wake of the allegation. A spokesman said: “We did have an event on Monday night. We’re helping the police with an investigation.”

A spokesman for Manchester United declined to comment.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the entire Manchester United first team, apart from Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, were at the hotel for the club’s annual Christmas party.

No arrests have been made in connection with the rape allegation, a police spokeswoman told the paper.

The report added the players had spent the afternoon at the Manchester 235 casino.

The players were reportedly entertained by burlesque dancers during their meal at the Manchester 235 Casino.

They were also reported to have had a drink at the Old Grapes, a pub owned by former Coronation Street actress Liz Dawn.

The Great John Street hotel has 30 duplex rooms and suites, and prices range from £235 (€328) to £395 (€552) a night and Manchester United reportedly had their Christmas party there last year and ran up a £41,000 (€57,000) bill.