Sunderland winger Jack Diamond is charged with one count of rape and one of sexual assault
Sunderland footballer Jack Diamond, 23, is charged with rape and sexual assault… as he was suspended by the Championship club and Lincoln City terminated his season-long loan.
- The 23-year-old winger had been arrested after an alleged sexual assault in May
- Diamond had been on loan in League One alongside Lincoln from Sunderland
Sunderland footballer Jack Diamond has been charged with rape and sexual assault.
Diamond, 23, has been suspended by Sunderland and his loan spell with Lincoln City ended with immediate effect as a result of the charges.
He had been arrested following an alleged sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear, in May last year.
Northumbria Police then launched an investigation and charged him with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. Diamond is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates Court in May.
“Sunderland AFC have been notified that criminal charges have been brought against Jack Diamond by the Crown Prosecution Service,” read a statement from Sunderland.
Jack Diamond had been on loan at Lincoln from Sunderland. His loan has been cancelled.
Diamond (right) has made 45 appearances for Sunderland during his career with the Black Cats.
The player has been suspended with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the legal process, and his loan contract at Lincoln City Football Club has also been terminated.
“As this matter is subject to legal process, the Club will not make any further statements at this time.”
Lincoln City said: ‘Jack Diamond’s loan spell at City has ended with immediate effect.
“The club cannot make any further statements at this time.”
In a statement on Thursday, Northumbria Police said: “In May of last year, we received a report that a woman had been sexually assaulted inside an address in the Washington area. An investigation was immediately launched and a man was subsequently arrested.
“Jack Diamond, 23, of Fatfield, Washington, has now been charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault and is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates Court in May.”
Diamond, a winger, made 45 appearances for Sunderland during his Black Cats career.
He joined League One side Lincoln City on a season-long loan last August.
Diamond has played in 38 games for Lincoln this season, scoring eight goals and providing five assists.