Assault accused ‘cocky young lad’

By Staff Reporter

Last updated 09:25, Saturday, 30 August 2008

A WORKINGTON Town player accused of sexual touching was described in court as a “cocky young lad.”

Prosecutor Phillip Boyd told Carlisle Crown Court yesterday said: “Either all witnesses are lying or he is a brash cocky young lad who thinks he can degrade and humiliate women.”

But defence barrister Greg Hoare questioned the credibility of the woman making the accusation.

He said: “Nine weeks off work – soldiers coming back from Iraq don’t have nine weeks off work.

“This is some indication of her character.

“They [the party she was with] are the ones shouting the odds, running up and down the train, causing trouble.

“There is a chance that she and her sister were very much worse for drink than they were prepared to tell you about,” Mr Hoare told the jury.

The sister was seen on CCTV being carried into Carlisle railway station by her boyfriend.

Campbell has denied putting his hands down the top of a woman on the Carlisle to Whitehaven train last November.

Five women told the court the men on the train were making lewd comments at women. But five men gave evidence to say no comments were made.

Mr Hoare suggested the woman who witness Tracy Kerr said she saw being pulled across the table could have been throwing a punch.

Andrew Beattie, centre for Barrow Raiders, said he saw a woman hitting out, while Martin Jenkinson, who was sitting next to Campbell on the train, said he was hit in the head by a woman aiming for Campbell or Carl Forber.

He said: “I was just relaxing. A commotion started.

“A girl and a fellow started accusing Liam of taking her handbag and grabbing her and they were both becoming quite violent and aggressive. I didn’t see anything that sparked it off.”

The jury is expected to deliver its verdict on Monday.