Sunderland winger receives trial date for alleged sexual assault offences

Sunderland winger Jack Diamond will face trial in 2024 as he fights charges of rape and sexual assault.

Diamond was charged with the offences earlier this year and immediately had his loan spell at Lincoln City terminated, as well as being indefinitely suspended by Sunderland.

Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Diamond pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and was not asked to enter a plea on the rape allegation. He was granted conditional bail by Judge Paul Sloan KC until his trial, which has been set for January 2 next year.

"In May last year, we received a report that a woman had been sexually assaulted inside an address in the Washington area,” Northumbria Police said earlier this year. “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 himself released a public statement denying any wrongdoing, and vowed to clear his name.

"Jack Diamond strenuously denies the allegations which have been made against him,” the spokesman for the Sunderland winger said. “Jack is looking forward to clearing his name in court."

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