West Ham defender charged with assault

Kieran Davey,

Correspondent (Sport)

West Ham defender James Tomkins has been charged by police after assaulting an officer outside an Essex nightclub. The incident occurred early on Sunday morning at the Sugar Hut Village in Brentwood, a nightspot made popular by the reality show The Only Way Is Essex. Tomkins was arrested by officers after being refused entry into the nightclub.

According to police sources, the defender was charged for assault, as well as for resisting arrest, and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

A spokesman from Essex Police said: ‘’Police were called by security staff from the Sugar Hut Village shortly before 12:30am on Sunday the 22nd following reports of a disturbance.’’

Ironically, Tomkins’ arrest came on the same day that West Ham released their ‘Christmas Advent Calendar’ on Youtube, in which the defender joined teammate Jack Collison in promoting sensible drinking over the holidays.

The former England under 21 international had earlier played for West Ham on Saturday, in their 3-1 defeat to Manchester United. The club have so far refused to comment on the incident.

Tomkins was later released on bail, and will appear at Basildon Magistrates Court on 9th January.

More to come…