Paper guilty of contempt in 'gang rape' case

The Daily Star was today found guilty of contempt of court over its coverage of the case of two well-known Premiership footballers questioned by police following allegations of "gang rape" by a 17-year-old girl.

The national daily named Titus Bramble and Carlton Cole, who were among four men questioned by police. No one was ever charged.

The Attorney General Lord Goldsmith QC, complained that the Daily Star named the men at a time in October last year when the question of their identities was in issue.

Today Lord Justice Rose and Mr Justice Pitchman, sitting at the High Court in London, found newspaper publishers Express Newspapers guilty of contempt because the October 23 article had created "a real, substantial, more than remote risk" that the course of justice would be "seriously impeded or prejudiced".

The court is now considering the amount of fine which should be imposed.
The judges had heard the girl had told police she was raped and suffered a number of serious sexual assaults at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London on September 27 2003.

After police investigations, the Crown Prosecution Service eventually said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

Carlton Cole, who was on loan to Charlton from Chelsea, and Titus Bramble, who plays for Newcastle United and has played for England, both denied the rape allegations.

Philip Havers QC, appearing for the Attorney General, said the allegations gave rise to "frenzied media interest", and both the Attorney General and the Metropolitan Police issued repeated warnings and guidance to the press and media not to identify the men.