Source: Daily_Mail
Titus Bramble and his brother arrested over hotel rape claims
Held: Football star Titus Bramble has been arrested on suspicion of rape at a city centre hotel in Newcastle[LNB] [LNB]Titus Bramble has been bailed in connection with the alleged rape of a teenager at a hotel.[LNB] Bramble, 29, who plays for Sunderland, was questioned by detectives after the alleged assault on the 19-year-old girl. [LNB]The former England under-21 defender was arrested by officers at 6am at the four-star Vermont Hotel in Newcastle city centre. [LNB]He was held along with his brother, Tesfaye Bramble, 30, who played in the Football League with Southend.[LNB]Both men were interviewed by detectives at a Newcastle police station. Officers are believed to want to question a third man. [LNB]A police spokesman said yesterday: 'Police received a report of a rape of a woman at a city centre hotel in Newcastle in the early hours. Two men, aged 29 and 30, have been arrested on suspicion of rape.' [LNB]Both Brambles were later released on bail by police. A Northumbria Police spokesman said: 'Both men have been bailed pending further inquiries.'[LNB]The alleged victim has told police she was drinking with a friend in Newcastle's Quayside on Tuesday night, just hours after Sunderland's 2-1 defeat to West Ham.[LNB] Bramble, who did not play in the match, was drinking with friends at the Baby Lynch bar which was hosting a student night. His group are believed to have been introduced to the two girls.[LNB]He later allegedly got into an argument with a supporter of his previous club Wigan FC, who was thrown out by the bouncers. [LNB]One witness said Bramble, who was with his brother and two other men in the VIP section, was drinking heavily. [LNB]A witness said: 'Bramble's group were led to the VIP section and given a table of their own. Bramble was sober when he came in but he started drinking vodka. [LNB]'He was chatting to loads of girls. I don't know which girls he left with but he was with students - really young pretty girls.' [LNB]The alleged rape victim is not believed to have gone back to the hotel with the group. Instead she got a taxi back to her friend's home. But in the early hours of yesterday she apparently drove to the Vermont Hotel. [LNB]Arrested: The Sunderland defender was detained after the alleged rape of a young woman was reported to police[LNB]The teenager booked herself into a room. The girl claims she woke at 4.35am and says she was naked and being raped. She left the hotel and then alerted police.[LNB] Bramble, a former Newcastle player, and his brother have both denied raping the girl.[LNB] Officers from Northumbria Police's specialist rape investigation team interviewed the girl and her friend and have carried out a medical examination. [LNB]The latest allegations come at a time of increasingly lurid headlines about football stars. [LNB]Last night Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: 'Titus strenuously denies any wrong-doing and will be doing everything within his power to clear his name. I, as chairman and the club as a whole, totally support Titus in his efforts.'[LNB] Sunderland facing defensive crisis ahead of Liverpool trip following arrest of Titus BrambleSunderland defender Titus Bramble arrested over rape claim in Newcastle hotel[LNB] [LNB]
