The trial of an ex-Southport FC player accused of rape has been pushed back by more than year.
The trial of former Burnley and Manchester United footballer John Cofie, of Forest Drive, Sale, is accused alongside Nathan Stuart, 29, of Pack Horse Close, Northwich, of raping a woman four years ago in 2019. The trial is now set to take place five years after the alleged offence.
Both men denied the charges when they entered their pleas in February 2021. The trial of the men was due to begin yesterday (January 23) but fresh court delays meant that the hearing couldn't take place.
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An administrative hearing is planned to take place later this week with a new trial date set for February 19, 2024, exactly three years on from when the pleas were entered., as reported in Lancs Live.
Cofie, now 30 years old, retired from football in 2020 having played for a number of North West clubs including Southport and Chorley. Cofie was the youngest £1m when he transferred from Burnley to Manchester United at the age of 14 in 2007 but failed to make a first-team appearance.
Proceeding
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