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Footballer on trial accused of rape and false imprisonment
The Gazette
|September 02, 2025
ALLEGED ATTACK AFTER WOMAN WAS OFFERED LIFT
A FOOTBALLER from Eaglescliffe is standing trial accused of falsely imprisoning a woman in his car and raping her.
Harry Butters is accused of sexually assaulting a woman after meeting her on a night out and offering her a lift home.
Butters, who plays for Darlington FC under-23s, is standing trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with rape, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and false imprisonment. The 24-year-old denies the charges. Yesterday morning, a jury was sworn in, with the prosecuting barrister outlining the Crown's case. The trial is expected to last around four days.
This story is from the September 02, 2025 edition of The Gazette.
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