04 January 2024 , 17:24
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Sunderland winger Jack Diamond has claimed a woman who has accused him of rape tried to initiate sex when they met at his home in 2022.
Diamond was arrested by police and charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault on March 30 2023, with Sunderland suspending the player and Lincoln City terminating his loan deal.
The 23-year-old has entered a not guilty plea and his trial began at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday. The court heard that the pair met on the dating app Tinder and agreed to be "friends with benefits".
The woman said their relationship was "95% sex" but that when Diamond called her and invited her to come to his home and spend the night, the pair agreed to "cuddles" and that there would be no sexual activity.
However, prosecutor David Povall said the footballer "wanted more than that" and that after the woman "eventually" consented to some sexual activity, she was woken up by Diamond "caressing her".
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Diamond is currently on trial, having been charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault (ChronicleLive)Povall said: "She asked him to stop and told him she wasn't in the mood, but he persisted. It was only after repeated protests and pleas for him to stop that he desisted." In a recorded police interview played in court, the woman said the alleged assault "felt like it lasted forever".
Diamond, however, told police that there had been no sexual intercourse on the night in question and claimed the woman was "jealous and possessive". He said that when the pair got into bed, the woman attempted to "mount" him but he rejected her advances.
He then said he tried to kiss her again thinking he had upset her, adding: "I went to give her affection thinking she's, like, annoyed. I went to start kissing her because obviously this is what she wants."
However, he claims the woman rejected his advances and told him the "moment's gone". Diamond added that the woman left soon after.
The court also heard how the woman had told a friend that Diamond had "tried to force himself" on her, with a statement from the friend saying how he met her after the alleged assault and that she was "shaking, white and crying". The trial continues.