Sex assault trial hears of ‘graphic’ image on phone

By SHENAI RAIF
Published on 26/01/2013 01:53

A TEAM-MATE of four footballers accused of assaulting a woman in a hotel room told a court he was shown a graphic photograph.

Ben Sampayo, 20, said he woke up in the middle of the night and heard giggling.

He had fallen asleep in the room where the footballers were with the 19-year-old who had been with them at a club.

Mr Sampayo said he had just opened his eyes when one of the players showed him the picture on a mobile phone.

Brighton players Anton Rodgers, 19, Lewis Dunk, 21, and George Barker, 21, and former team-mate Steve Cook, 21, deny sexual assault and voyeurism.

The prosecution says the players assaulted the drunken woman when she was asleep and took pictures as a “record of their conquest”.

Mr Sampayo said he had been drinking and had little or no recollection. He was interviewed by police after being arrested with the others in January last year. He was not charged, but five months later was ordered to make a statement to magistrates.

The trial was adjourned until Monday.