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Brighton footballer says posed photos were 'boy banter' | Brighton footballer says posed photos were 'boy banter' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A Brighton footballer who took photos of himself and team-mates exposing themselves in front of a teenager has told a court it was just "boy banter". | A Brighton footballer who took photos of himself and team-mates exposing themselves in front of a teenager has told a court it was just "boy banter". |
Anton Rodgers, 20, denied there was a sexual element to the alleged events in a Brighton hotel room in July 2011. | Anton Rodgers, 20, denied there was a sexual element to the alleged events in a Brighton hotel room in July 2011. |
"It was just a bit of boy banter. It was a laugh but it seems stupid now," he told the Old Bailey. | "It was just a bit of boy banter. It was a laugh but it seems stupid now," he told the Old Bailey. |
Mr Rodgers, George Barker, 21, Lewis Dunk, 21, and Steve Cook, 21, deny sexual assault and voyeurism. | Mr Rodgers, George Barker, 21, Lewis Dunk, 21, and Steve Cook, 21, deny sexual assault and voyeurism. |
The offences are alleged to have taken place at the Jurys Inn Hotel after the Brighton and Hove Albion footballers had gone out to celebrate winning the Sussex Senior Cup. | The offences are alleged to have taken place at the Jurys Inn Hotel after the Brighton and Hove Albion footballers had gone out to celebrate winning the Sussex Senior Cup. |
Mr Cook now plays for Bournemouth. | Mr Cook now plays for Bournemouth. |
'Giggling and laughing' | 'Giggling and laughing' |
Giving evidence, Mr Rodgers denied the 19-year-old woman was asleep. | Giving evidence, Mr Rodgers denied the 19-year-old woman was asleep. |
"She was just giggling. She was laughing. She was bubbly," he told the jury. | "She was just giggling. She was laughing. She was bubbly," he told the jury. |
The trial heard on Monday that Mr Barker's initials - GB - were written in foam on the woman's thigh. | The trial heard on Monday that Mr Barker's initials - GB - were written in foam on the woman's thigh. |
Mr Rodgers said they were sprayed by team-mate Leon Redwood. | Mr Rodgers said they were sprayed by team-mate Leon Redwood. |
He told the court he took a photograph of Mr Barker making a thumbs-up sign next to the girl. | |
"It was a funny picture at the time. That's all it meant," he said. | "It was a funny picture at the time. That's all it meant," he said. |
Mr Rodgers' father, Liverpool football manager Brendan Rodgers, sat at the back of the court with relatives of the accused as he gave evidence. | Mr Rodgers' father, Liverpool football manager Brendan Rodgers, sat at the back of the court with relatives of the accused as he gave evidence. |
'Shaving foam' | |
Lewis Dunk later took the witness stand and told the court he had been on the phone to a girl for 35 minutes and saw nothing of what went on. | |
He denied joining in, taking photographs or exposing himself. | |
He said he was sleeping on the floor but was woken by Mr Redwood, who said he could use his room. | |
He told jurors Mr Redwood had then gone to the bathroom, got some shaving foam and sprayed the woman. | |
The prosecution has claimed the four accused players assaulted the drunken woman when she was asleep and took pictures as a "record of their conquest". | |
The trial was adjourned until Wednesday. |