England footballer Stewart Downing arrested after claim he punched his ex-girlfriend during row in nightclub
By Damien Gayle
Last updated at 1:39 PM on 8th January 2012
Arrested: Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting his ex-partner
[size=1.2em]Footballer Stewart Downing was last night arrested on suspicion of assault after allegedly hitting an ex-girlfriend in a nightclub row.
[size=1.2em]The Liverpool winger and England international, 27, was arrested after a late night fracas at a pub in the upmarket suburb of Yarm, near Middlesborough, at about 1am last night.
[size=1.2em]It is claimed that he assaulted his ex-partner, with whom he is thought to have a child, after rowing with her while drinking at the Cross Keys club on Yarm High Street.
[size=1.2em]A local source told the Mail Online that there had been an incident between the two of them.
[size=1.2em]'She went over to one of his friends and said something that she shouldn't have,' the source said.
[size=1.2em]'He butted in and they were arguing.' It's then that the source alleged that he hit her.
[size=1.2em]The source continued: 'Police got there as they were thrown out. He caused a scene outside the club as well, when he realised they were going to take him in.'
[size=1.2em]While relatively upmarket, Yarm is notorious as a hangout for 'scrotes' - a slang term for young people - who go there for nights out, our source said. It is also a well known hangout for footballers.
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Stewart Downing is from Middlesborough, but signed for Liverpool last year
[size=1.2em]Downing, who comes from nearby Middlesborough, is thought to have been back in town visiting old friends.
[size=1.2em]After coming up through the Middlesborough Academy, he played for the side for Middlesborough for first eight years of his career, before moving to Aston Villa.
[size=1.2em]Downing signed for Liverpool last year. His arrest is the latest embarrassment for the club, which in recent weeks has also been rocked by two racism scandals.
[size=1.2em]Referring to last night's incident, a police spokesman said: 'Police were called to an incident at a pub on Yarm High Street.
[size=1.2em]'A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and a 32-year-old woman has also been arrested on suspicion of assault.
[size=1.2em]'Both are in custody and inquiries are ongoing.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2083816/Liverpool-star-Stewart-Downing-arrested-punching-ex-girlfriend-nightclub.html#ixzz1isJxXqci |