Ex-Harrogate Town player cleared of rape and sexual assault charges

Former Harrogate Town player Jack Diamond has been cleared of rape and sexual assault.

Mr Diamond, 23, was found not guilty on both charges by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court this afternoon.

He was charged by Northumbria Police in March last year.

Mr Diamond, of Washington, had his loan spell at Lincoln City terminated at the time of the charges. His parent club Sunderland also suspended him pending the outcome of judicial proceedings.

A statement from Sunderland following the verdict said:

“Sunderland AFC notes the verdict from Newcastle Crown Court today, where a jury has found Jack Diamond not guilty of all charges.

“Following the conclusion of the judicial process, Jack will now return to the Academy of Light and resume footballing activity.

“SAFC will be making no further comment at this time.”

Mr Diamond played for Harrogate on loan during their National League campaign in 2019-20, scoring one of the goals at Wembley that earned promotion to the English Football League for the first time ever.

He returned to the club on loan during the 2021-22 season in League Two of the English Football League.

In his two loan spells, he scored 16 goals in 66 appearances.

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Former Harrogate Town player Jack Diamond charged with rape

Former Harrogate Town player Jack Diamond has been charged with rape.

Northumbria Police confirmed today Gateshead-born Mr Diamond had been charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.

He joined Lincoln City on loan from parent club Sunderland after a second loan spell at Harrogate ended last year.

Lincoln City have terminated his contract and parent club Sunderland have suspended him pending the outcome of the judicial process.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said:

“In May last year, we received a report that a woman had been sexually assaulted inside an address in the Washington area.

“An investigation was immediately launched and a man was subsequently arrested.

“Jack Diamond, 23, of Fatfield, Washington, has now been charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault and is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in May.”

Mr Diamond played for Town on loan during their National League campaign in 2019-20, scoring one of the goals at Wembley that earned promotion to the English Football League for the first time ever.

He returned to the club on loan during the 2021-22 season in League Two of the English Football League.

In his two loan spells, he scored 16 goals in 66 appearances.

A Lincoln City statement said:

“Jack Diamond’s loan spell at City has been terminated with immediate effect.

“The club are unable to make any further statement at this time.”

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Wembley hero Jack Diamond rejoins Harrogate Town

Wembley hero Jack Diamond has returned to Harrogate Town on loan until the end of the 2021/22 season in a transfer deadline day deal.

Diamond, 21, scored at Wembley in the 3-1 National League play-off final defeat of Notts County last year — a result that secured Town’s promotion to the English Football League for the first time in its history.

The winger first joined the club in September 2019 on a loan deal that was eventually extended until the end of the 2019/20 season due to his impressive performances.

The Sunderland loanee accumulated 35 appearances in a season cut short by covid, scoring five goals and providing eight assists in Town’s promotion campaign.

He said:

“The move presented a good challenge for me, I’ve already done a lot here and finished off on a high when I left so the challenge now is to replicate what I have done.”

“I grew a lot as a player in my last spell and was able to find consistency, all the lads helped me so much with advice.

“There’s no time in football to stay still, you have got to keep improving yourself so coming here on loan was a great option for me.”

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