Brighton footballers in court over sex assault

Three Brighton and Hove Albion players and a Bournemouth footballer have appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting a woman and voyeurism.

Anton Rodgers, 19, Lewis Dunk, 20, George Barker, 20, and Steve Cook, 21, all pleaded not guilty to both counts at Brighton Magistrates' Court.

The charges relate to an incident alleged to have taken place at a hotel in Brighton, on 17 July last year.

All four were bailed to appear before Brighton magistrates on 6 July.

Mr Rodgers, Mr Dunk, Mr Barker, who play for Brighton, and Mr Cook, who is a Bournemouth footballer, were among six players arrested in connection with the incident in January by Sussex Police.

Fellow Brighton player Ben Sampayo, 19, was informed no further action will be taken against him.

Brighton defender Tommy Elphick, 24, was eliminated from the investigation in January.