Thomas Partey Pleads Not Guilty to Additional Rape Allegations

Ex-Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has entered not guilty pleas to two fresh allegations of rape. The 32-year-old midfielder appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he denied raping a woman in London on a specific day in December 2020. Partey, who joined Villarreal from Arsenal last summer, was previously charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July last year, dating back to 2021 and 2022, and had already pleaded not guilty to those charges. A trial was initially set for November this year. The two new rape charges were announced in February, and Judge Tony Baumgartner has agreed to try all allegations together, warning that the trial may now be delayed until January next year. In total, Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to allegations from four different women. During the hearing, Partey, dressed in dark grey trousers, a black jumper, and smart black shoes, confirmed his name and entered the not guilty pleas. He was previously absent from Westminster Magistrates' Court when the charges were first presented but had indicated through his lawyer that he would plead not guilty. Partey, a key player for the Ghana national side, is expected to face England in the World Cup this summer. He is currently on bail with the condition that he does not contact the alleged victims. The court anticipates that Mr Justice Bennathan will preside over the trial, with the next pre-trial hearing scheduled for May 14, when a decision on the exact trial date will be made.