Standby for the media backlash folks. According to radio and various news links posted on TOTT, young Craig was cautioned by police for assaulting a student on Tuesday in the early hours of the morning.

Tabloids will no doubt be lumping him into the same category as Woodgate et al.

NOT good publicity. What was he thinking?

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Answers

You beat me to it by seconds Lynda. I agree, the press could make a meal of this. However, a caution is not as serious as a beating. AFAIK, he hasn't been arrested. Having been cautioned for "common assault", is that likely to be the end of the matter as far as the law is concerned??

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

The item is on Sportal.com in the Newcastle section. (Can't do links)

I'm not excusing him but getting a caution and the fact it was a common assault rather than anything under the 'offences against the person act', would indicate it was not that serious. Still Bobby won't be happy.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Yeah - a caution doesn't even count as a conviction although he would have had to admit to the assault. The police take no further action after invoking the caution so hopefully this will be the end of it.

A common assault is the least serious offence of assault and could easily have been a push or a shove.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Before any of the press say it. I think Bellamy is a disgrace, he should be locked up forever and never allowed out again. What exactly is a police caution?? Methinks, this student (probably a sunderland fan) decides to wind wor craig up a bit since he's got a short fuse. Craig walks away but this lad persists on and on and on. So craig tells him to F off, the lad then runs off to the police to grass him up.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

A police caution is basically a telling off. An instant caution is a telling off there and then or it could be a formal caution done by an inspector or someone at the local station.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Er you probably know all of that anyway but i'm on a roll here. Criminal justice is my speciality subject.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

I was wondering how you knew so much about it Lynda. So criminal justice is your speciality. From which side of the law??

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

I know it sounds terrible doesn't it? Worked in criminal justice system. Not a police officer though!

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Ah, so the rumours about you being banged up in Strangeways (ooh er missus!!) aren't true then?

You don't wear a wig do you? I hear they are very expensive to look after ;-))

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

No, no wigs. Or why would I pay so much for a bloody haircut!!! Anyway enough of me.............

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Bad news about Bellamy

He must have done something, you never hear of the likes of Speed or Shearer getting into this sort of bother.

Hopefully he gets a fine by the club and makes up for it with a hat- trick and 3 assists on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

I was often tempted to assault a student or two myself...... at least until I became one & doubtless the local population of Leeds thought I was a right tosser too.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Yeah, Shearer would never hit anyone outside a pub or anything. ;-)

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Just had a look at Sporting Life. They've got Bellamy as their top story. Bet he'll be making another contribution of wages to the NUFC coffers.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Well bugg@ me - Soccernet says it was a female student. Them lazy hacks are gonna be crawling all over this screaming attempted rape before long mark my words.

-- Anonymous, February 07, 2002

Dot com: 'Just when things looked to be going suspiciously well... Craig Bellamy has been cautioned for common assault after an incident involving a 20-year-old female student in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Four other Newcastle United players were also believed to have been questioned.

Apparently the incident occurred as Kieron Dyer arrived in the city centre to pick up a number of players to take them home. The woman who has alleged the assault attempted to get into Dyer's car and was hurt when Bellamy tried to remove her.

Freddy Shepherd has issued a statement saying he is aware of the allegations and that an internal investigation is being conducted'. Can't remember any young birds ever trying to climb into my car. Certainly wouldn't have tried to push them out. Unless they were from Sunderland.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Mind you, in my days as a youngster, we didn't have cars. Still, can't remember any young birds trying to climb onto my bus either.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Hang on.... Bellamy and this student.... he would NEVER beat anyone one on one.... I rest my case!

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

According to the back page of the mirror (courtesy of the beeb) the headline is 'Bellamy faces sack'. Which, as usual, seems to be bullshit. The BBC presenter said there would be an internal investigation. There goes 2 weeks wages

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Completely OTT coverage. If the girl was causing trouble trying to get into the car, my sympathy for her is somewhat less. You know what's like with these persistant types who won't take no for answer. It happens to me all the time and it soon wears thin.

Seriously though, this has all the hallmarks of someone milking the situation. I wonder who went to the press with the story? Hmmm.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

I know what you mean Pete. If every girl I have to fight off when I'm down the Quayside, starts mouthing off to the police then I'd be in trouble the whole time.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

This 'girl', it wasn't Jordan was it? Seems like the type of thing this pioneer of internet births would do.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Totally agree Pete. Whilst I'm the first to rant on about overpaid footballers with too much time on their hands, who should be doing more for the community, go to church more often, help old ladies up the stairs in the Milburn Stand, visit childrens homes and orphanages....... (er, that's enough social responsibilities - Ed), this story is total bollox. Dyer turns up in a car to pick up his mates. Some drunken student (the two words just seem to go together so well) tries to climb into the car, Craig tries to go round her but fails (so no change there), so he pulls/pushes her out. She gets the hump and calls Plod. Plod tells Craig to calm down and go home. Young Kevin drives off. Craig gets home and tells missus that it's been another quiet night out. Three days later she reads that her old man has been wrestling with some bird outside a club in Toon. There's no need to fine the lad, I know what my missus would do (after she'd stopped laughing), and it's worse than a fine. This one has all the hallmarks of a set up.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

There's no chance Bellamy could push her around - although the fact she can stand up straight is a miracle of structural engineering

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Nice to hear you understand the problem Jonno. Just this morning for instance, I was on the tube when a whole load of people presumably caught a glimpse of me behind the paper and desperately tried to storm the place - luckily their predominantly southern English mentality meant they were too shy/considerate to accost me and even pretended not to notice me. Even during the day there are all the super model types that I assume get their hair cut opposite just so they can snatch a brief glance up at my office window.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Imagine what mummy & daddy would make of their little girl making the headlines as a "young temptress" auditioning for the next installment of "Adventures of a Soccer Star".

Bellers saves the girls reputation and ends up getting blamed for a late challenge, the decision will be overturned on appeal. And besides at least he didn't dive!

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Oh dear.

I have to say, though, touching someone without their permission is technically assault so this may not be as bad as all that.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Is that why I get those funny looks from lasses in the pub?

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

That's one of the reasons Bobby

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

If he'd kept his gob shut, he might have got away with it.#

Hope this doesn't affect team morale, though.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

We are aware of the alleged allegations, which have been made against certain of our players and shall be conducting our own internal investigation immediately. Shepherd.

Alleged allegations? Oh. God help us when we ascertain whether the allegations are just alleged or whether they are real allegations.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Freddie .... this is a VERY serious issue Craig, and NOT the first time I've had to speak to you about behaviour, what have you to say for yourself

Craig ..... well, sir, the girl was in the car and she was a right dog, and I asked her to get out and she refused, I offered her money to do what I wanted and she still didn't get out, so I just helped her out

Freddie .... two out of three aint bad

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Dot Com: 'As for the offence, m'learned friend of NUFC.com tells us that it's very minor indeed, and can often be no more that the placing of hands on another person.

Bellamy has admitted that there was contact and he's been cautioned. That's the end of the matter as far as the police are concerned: no fine, no court appearance, nowt.' So that's an end to that then.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

ARE you the lass assaulted by Craig Bellamy or do you know her? Email the BBS newsdesk. We’ll call you straight back...but only if you've got spare tickets for the Man City game.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

If some drunken slapper tried to get in my car she'd get thumped, cos the wifes normally about. Seriously though, couldn't Dyer enter a counter charge of attempted carjacking? Then she really would get her name in the papers which is all I think she was after. Spots Dyer in his car and thinks she can get famous by being seen in the car with him. Doh!!!

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

That Sun article in full...cliche copy and rehashed old stories to fill the space...depressing - italic notes by Bobby :-)

Soccer star hit club girl By ROBIN PERRIE [Are you Robin Perrie? Do you know Robin Perrie? Call the BBS hotline and we'll ignore you STRAIGHT AWAY!]

SOCCER ace Craig Bellamy was cautioned by cops (police, surely?)last night for hitting a girl in the face.
The Newcastle United star was quizzed with team-mates Kieron Dyer, Carl Cort and Wayne Quinn after a nightclub row. (That quiz in full - "This is for Craig for 3pts - what do you know when one-on-one with a 'keeper?")
He assaulted the 20- year-old student during the flare-up outside the popular Sea nightspot on Newcastle’s Quayside in the early hours of Tuesday.
The 22-year-old Welsh international — booked ten times this season and sent off once playing for Wales - was cautioned for common assault after he admitted hitting the girl.
The trouble is thought to have started after striker Cort, 24, hit the town with £800,000 full back Quinn after making his comeback from injury in a reserve team game.(So, the trouble was caused by Cort and Quinn 'hitting' the town?)
Bellamy and £20million-rated (any advance on £20m?) England international Dyer joined them for the night out.
The assault came as the stars chatted to some girls close to 22-year-old Dyer’s £50,000 Mercedes S320.(jamjar.com MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS DIESEL SALOON S320L CDi 4dr Auto £46,481)
The women tried to climb into the car - and the footballers attempted to stop them.
One girl was hit by Bellamy and went to police a few hours later to complain. (Would that be in the morning when she sobred up?)
Quinn, 25, (Ah, I was wondering how old he was)Dyer and Cort were all questioned by officers, but no action followed.
But a Northumbria police spokesman last night confirmed Bellamy’s caution — an admission of guilt which means the offender does not have to face court.
He said: “As a result of police inquiries into an allegation of assault made by a 20-year-old student, police have questioned and cautioned Craig Bellamy for common assault.”
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said the club had a strict code of conduct which players were expected to follow.
He said: “We are aware of the allegations made and shall be conducting our own internal investigation immediately.”
Stars from the giant Premiership club (do they mean us???)have been involved in a series of recent scrapes.
Bellamy, Dyer and Cort were sent home in disgrace from a mid-season break in Spain last November after a drunken pub brawl. They had snubbed a tribute dinner for Newcastle president Sir John Hall.
(Right, that's enough about Craig...what have we got on Dyer?) Midfielder Dyer (who recently changed his first name from Kieron), a £6.5million signing from Ipswich Town, was fined two weeks’ wages together with Bellamy, Cort and defender Andy Griffin.
Dyer was also quizzed by police a year ago after a gang of girls fought over him.
Rhaynor Gibbs, 22, suffered a broken arm and alleged a woman pal of Dyer’s assaulted her. The police took no action. (i.e. he did nothing wrong...go on, say it!)
The star was banned from driving for two months in July after cops clocked him at 104mph in his Mercedes S500 in Co Durham (I thought it was a S320? BTW, jamjar.com = MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS SALOON S500 4dr Auto £56,811.53...how Robin missed that?)
Three months earlier, he suffered cuts and bruises when he crashed the car on his way to training.
Together with fellow England stars Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, Dyer also filmed a drunken romp with girls in Ayia Napa, Cyprus, last June (the shame of it!). Shortly after he returned from the debauched trip he was glassed in the face by thugs at the Kartouche Nightclub in Ipswich.
He needed stitches after suffering cuts above and below an eye. Newcastle boss Bobby Robson was reported to have demanded the star quit his bachelor pad in Newcastle’s clubland (clubland? is that near Heaton?) in a bid to keep out of trouble. But Dyer still lives in the £350,000 flat (your-move.co.uk City Road £298,950 Penthouse Apartment New Development Impressive Views Over Quayside)
The Quayside bust-up is the latest in a string of troubles for Premiership football.
Blah-di-blah, bits about every other football incident in the last 12 months...

ARE you the girl assaulted by Craig Bellamy or do you know her? Call The Sun newsdesk on 0207 782 4105. We’ll call you straight back. (even got the number wrong...London = '020' then it's '7*** ****' for inner London)

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

arrr!!

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

The Ronnie says that the girls were offered a lift and one was actually sitting on Carl Cort's lap in the car before Bellamy slapped the girl in question and hit her. Apparently Dyer was the peace-maker and was "the perfect gentlemen".

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

But if the car wasn't there, none of this would ever have happened. They should walk anyway. Better to keep up their fitness. Lazy footballers... ;-))

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

"Apparently Dyer was the peace-maker and was "the perfect gentlemen"."

Just 'cos she danced go-go don't mean she's a 'ho, no.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

The chronnie is saying she was punched and kicked to the ground, by bellamy. This has to be a load of claptrap if bellamy only got cautioned. Methinks the dizzy broad is making mountains out of molehills. I see that one of the girls was sitting on corts knee, boy is his wife gonna be pissed off.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Lock him up,throw away the key,fine Newcastle United £10,000,000 and all their fans £1000 each with 45 weeks of community service.

Or we could try a hardline stance.................

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Syme, that girl on Cort's knee....she wasn't queue jumping was she?

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

bit harsh coming from a fan of a club that puts monkeys into captivity and subjects them to 90 minutes of abuse from crazed pre historic animals? no?

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

In fact, Keb, why don't we just give SAFC £10,000,000 to buy a new striker and have done with it?

BTW,I think you lot will win tomorrow.

Syme, you're right - the Ronnie admits that, apart from being shaken, there's nothing wrong with the girl at all. Didn't even need to see a nurse for her bruises.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

its probably carl c. who'll need to see a nurse (a male one, hand picked by Mrs. C)

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

SK, how about we take a real hardline stance and make all 50,000 Toon st holders watch your lot playing anyone but us at the SOS?

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

If bellamy did kick and punch her then fine lock him up. If the police only cautioned him then it appears that next to nowt went on, she was probably drunk out of her mind falling all over the place. Then she decides that if a toon player is not going to give her an illegitimate love child then she's going to attempt to ruin our chances of the title. Probably just had her hair done too.............sorry linda had to throw that one in.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Common Assault - s39 Criminal Justice Act 1988 The suspect must cause the victim to apprehend personal violence, actually inflict personal violence on the victim, or be reckless as to whether such violence is apprehended or inflicted. Nee wonder these cases can take forever to get through the courts, 99% of the time is probably used up arguing about what the legal definition actually means.

Trying to sort out what that one means is probably the reason the cops cut their losses and just gave him a bollicking.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Let them walk?? No, far too dangerous. Bellamy would be out in front, rushing down Dean St. He'd get to the bottom, be unable to find the right door and continue on past it, straight into the bliddy river. Meanwhile, CC would just barge to the front of the queue at Prada. Little Kevin wouldn't get past the Theatre Royal before getting injured and Wayne Quinn would just fall over. Far safer driving.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Just read an unbelievable piece of journalistic excellence (not) on icDP. How is anyone supposed to take a piece seriously which editorializes on a player's home. They describe Quinn's place as 'palatial'. Whether it is or isn't is only a matter of opinion, anyway what difference does it make to the story?

Further down it falls into blatant sensationalism by going on about the girl involved in all this leaving town because she was so traumatized. Oh...and she and her mates decided who was to blame after going home and looking up the players' photos on the official s*ite. Ok, she may have been shoved, but I hope she's gone into hiding because she's realized she's acted like a drunken @rse and now her exploits are plastered all over the papers.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Are you the drunken arse or do you know who she is? Then post in now and we'll get straight back to you.

I don't think common assault usually gets into the courts, I think it's stays at magistrate level. I think it goes to court if it's 'racially aggravated' - i.e. Craig would need to call her a daft Jock bint and then struck her (if she was Jockish). Or if she perceived some racial intent in the words or action. Which basically can mean anything yer like.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Does that mean I can get the club a legal bollicking because I feel apprehensive about the psychological implications of tomorrow's result ? :-{E}

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Mind, it's good to see that at least someone got some use out of .cock.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002

Though if that's the only basis for accusing them then I would suggest they have a perfectly legitimate claim for mistaken identity. Could have been Shola for all we know.....

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2002