Footballer accused of raping woman as ex-Love Island contestant slept in same hotel room

Ashley Charles denies rape and claims he did not have sex with the alleged victim, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard

A footballer is accused of raping a woman while his former teammate and ex-Love Island contestant slept nearby in the same hotel room. Ashley Charles allegedly forced himself on the woman as she slept after a night out in London's West End, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard, according to a report by the Evening Standard. Charles, 23,  denies rape and insists the claim that he had sex with the woman is untrue. Dennon Lewis, who appeared on hit ITV reality show Love Island in the fifth series, was asleep in the same hotel room at the time, the newspaper reported. Lewis and Charles were both former Watford youth players and had been out at clubs including Mahiki, Club Maddox and Lords London with fellow footballer Michael Philips in March last year. According to the Standard, the men arranged to the meet the woman and her friend and went back to her hotel room at the end of the evening. Jurors were told the alleged victim had consensual sex with Philips, but "woke up to find a male, Ashley Charles, on top of her". PC Daniel Guy told the court: “Her friend had arranged to meeting Dennon Lewis, Ashley Charles and male known as Michael in London for a night out. When they finished the night out, they all went back to the hotel. (The friend) and Dennon shared the double bed, (she) and Michael shared a sofa, and Ashley slept on the floor. Lewis, who gave evidence via video link, said his friend pulled down his boxer shorts to show him his penis when first accused of rape. “He was saying ‘does it look like I’ve done that?’”, Lewis reportedly said. "As a gentleman, you know, especially if it’s just happened.” Charles, who now plays for Wealdstone FC, was questioned by police after the alleged victim's friend notified them. Wealdstone FC released a statement which reads: "Wealdstone can confirm it is aware of the legal proceedings involving one of our players and that the player has been made unavailable for selection until further notice." The trial continues. Related links:

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