Charges dropped against Barkley
Bath Rugby's Olly Barkley has had the case against him of causing actual bodily harm dismissed due to a lack of evidence. The Bath Rugby and England fly half had protested his innocence since the allegations were made last July, and this results means that he stands a chance of making England's tour squad to New Zealand in June.
And following a hearing on Tuesday at Aylesbury Crown Court, proceedings were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Barkley, 26, 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.
"I have had so much support from my friends, family and the club during this whole time and they have helped me keep focused. I would also like to thank Richard Mallett for his sustained effort in getting this case dropped."
Head Coach Steve Meehan said: "Olly's performances this season are testament to the fact that this has not affected him in any way on the pitch, but now he has the space to focus entirely on continuing his success until the end of the season."
RFU Elite Rugby Director, Rob Andrew, added: "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 13."
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Posted by serina – 22 Apr 2008, 7:05 PM
This is great news for Barkley. Now he can just put this behind him and do what he's great at - play rugby. Good luck to him. I hope he makes the tour squad.