Former Arsenal midfielder accused by multiple women now facing new rape allegations
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey will deny two newly filed rape allegations after a London court moved the case to a higher court for further hearings.
The 32 year old Ghana international did not attend the latest hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday. However, his lawyer indicated that he intends to plead not guilty to both accusations.
According to reporting by Tristan Kirk in the Daily Mail, the new allegations relate to an alleged incident involving a woman in London in December 2020.
The hearing focused on procedural steps in the case rather than evidence. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram ruled that the new allegations should be sent to Southwark Crown Court, where they will be addressed at a hearing scheduled for April 10.
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Prosecutor Arabella MacDonald told the court that the complainant came forward after the footballer’s earlier legal troubles had been widely reported.
“Mr Partey faces two further charges of rape dating back to December 2020,” MacDonald said.
“The complainant came forward after news of Mr Partey's other matters were widely publicised.”
New accuser steps forward after earlier allegations became public
The latest charges add to an already complex legal case surrounding the midfielder.
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According to the Daily Mail report by Tristan Kirk, Partey had previously been charged with five counts of rape involving two women and a separate sexual assault allegation involving a third complainant.
Those accusations relate to alleged incidents said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022. Partey has pleaded not guilty to all of those charges.
That earlier case is expected to go to trial at Southwark Crown Court in November.
Under UK legal procedure, serious criminal cases such as rape are handled in crown courts, which have the authority to conduct jury trials and deliver sentencing if a defendant is convicted.
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Who Thomas Partey is and why the case has drawn attention
Partey is a well known figure in international football. The Ghanaian midfielder built his reputation playing for Spanish club Atletico Madrid before moving to Arsenal in the English Premier League.
The transfer, reported to be worth around £45 million, made him one of the most prominent African players in the league at the time.
During his career he has made more than 50 appearances for the Ghana national team and has played in major tournaments including the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Partey left Arsenal when his contract expired in June last year and now plays for Spanish club Villarreal.
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Because of his high profile in professional football, the legal proceedings have drawn significant public and media attention.
Bail conditions and the next stage in the legal process
Following Friday’s hearing, the court granted Partey bail while the case continues.
One of the conditions of his bail is that he must not contact the complainant connected to the latest allegations.
He is expected to appear at Southwark Crown Court in April when the new charges are formally considered as part of the ongoing case.
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The outcome of that hearing will determine how the allegations move forward within the British criminal justice system.
Sources: Daily Mail
