Thomas Partey Pleads Not Guilty to Two New Rape Allegations

Thomas Partey Pleads Not Guilty to Two New Rape Allegations

Thomas Partey pleaded not guilty on Monday to two new rape allegations at Southwark Crown Court. He denied twice raping a woman in London in December 2020.

Court appearance and pleas

Partey attended the hearing and entered not guilty pleas to the additional charges. The new counts were added to earlier accusations from 2021 and 2022.

Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, agreed all allegations will be tried together. He warned the consolidated trial could be delayed until January next year.

Details of the charges

In July last year police charged Partey with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He previously pleaded not guilty to those allegations.

The two fresh rape counts were announced in February. That brings the total to seven rape charges and one sexual assault allegation, involving four women.

Legal process and scheduling

Mr Justice Bennathan is expected to be the trial judge, the court heard. A pre-trial hearing is listed for May 14.

The judge will confirm the exact trial date when formally assigned. Partey remains on bail with a condition not to contact the alleged victims.

Player background

Partey is a Ghanaian midfielder who joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020. The transfer was reported to be about £45 million.

He left Arsenal for Villarreal in June last year. He previously lived in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.

International status

Partey is expected to be part of Ghana’s World Cup squad this summer. That selection could set up a match against England.

Courtroom appearance

At the hearing, Partey wore dark grey trousers and a black jumper over a white shirt. He spoke to confirm his name before entering pleas.

Filmogaz.com