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Rugby Union

Assault charge against Bath fly-half Olly Barkley dropped

22/04/2008

Bath fly-half Olly Barkley has had an assault charge made against him last year dropped due to a lack of evidence.

The Crown Prosecution Service chose not to pursue the case any further at a hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court today.

Barkley, and another man, had been accused of causing actual bodily harm after a wedding reception at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire last July.

The England player said he was relieved to have got the case dropped and was keen to put the incident behind him.

Barkley maintained the case had not caused him to be distracted from his rugby this season and was hopeful of helping Bath win some silverware – his club are currently second in the Guinness Premiership.

He said: "I am really pleased that I am now able to put this behind me. I refused to allow it to affect me on the pitch, and hopefully my performances have demonstrated that.

"But now I am just happy to move on from it and do what I can to bring home some silverware this season."

Rugby Football Union elite rugby director Rob Andrew, who is also team manager for England's New Zealand tour, said Barkley would be a strong candidate for a place on the tour.

Andrew said: "We are all delighted for Olly. This has been hanging over him for nine months and it must have been a very anxious time.

"However, he has focused on his club rugby and been a driving force behind Bath Rugby's success this season. He will of course be under consideration for the New Zealand tour squad to be announced on Tuesday May 13th."