Terry faces tough new charges

13 April 2012

John Terry will face a more serious wounding charge which carries a maximum life sentence, it was confirmed today.

The Chelsea star and team-mate Jody Morris, 23, are due to appear at Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court with Wimbledon defender Des Byrne, 20, next month following the alleged attack.

The trio were arrested after an alleged fracas at the exclusive Wellington Club, near Harrods, in the early hours of 4 January.

All three were charged with affray and assaulting Trevor Thirlwall, causing him actual bodily harm.

Today the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that central-defender Terry, 21, will face an additional two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and having a wine bottle as an offensive weapon.

CPS lawyers decided to go ahead with the new charges after a review of medical, scientific and video evidence.

Terry, a former England under-21 captain, had been tipped to go to the World Cup. But the FA now have a policy that anybody facing criminal charges is not available for selection until the legal process is completed. Terry still faces a charge of affray and one of common assault on a second doorman.

Home Office figures reveal that 87 per cent of offenders jailed for violent crimes are sentenced to at least 18 months in prison.

Terry and Morris have already been fined about £30,000 by Chelsea FC for breaking club rules by being on licensed premises less than 48 hours before a crucial FA Cup tie against Norwich.

Morris, an ex-England under-21 midfielder, will be charged on two counts of common assault on Mr Thirlwall and one of common assault on the second doorman at around 1.15 that Friday night, when he was out with friends celebrating the birth of his daughter, Romy.

Dublin-born Byrne is to be charged with common assault on Mr Thirlwall and having a wine bottle as an offensive weapon.

Mr Thirlwall, from Bermondsey, south London, suffered cuts to the cheek and severe bruising and had to have the wounds stitched.

All three footballers, who deny the charges, will still face the count of affray. They are currently on bail with conditions that they live at their home addresses - which cannot be published for legal reasons - and do not contact any prosecution witnesses or go within half a mile of the club.

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