West Ham’s Calum Davenport pleads not guilty to charge of assaulting sister

• 28-year-old appeared at Luton Crown Court today
• Defender left with 15-inch scar following incident with sibling

The West Ham United defender Calum Davenport has today denied assaulting his sister. The 27-year-old is accused of causing actual bodily harm to Cara Davenport, 28, on 22 August in an incident which later saw him stabbed in both legs. He pleaded not guilty to the offence at Luton Crown Court.

Davenport, of Greenfield, Bedford, appeared in court wearing a grey-brown overcoat, grey suit and black tie. He is due to stand trial at the same court on 2 August and was released on bail on condition he does not communicate with his sister.

Ms Davenport was pregnant at the time of the alleged incident and is due to give birth at the end of March or beginning of April. Her boyfriend, Worrell Whitehurst, pleaded guilty in November to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the former England Under-21 international on 22 August.

Davenport was left with a 15-inch scar on his leg after the attack and required surgery before he could return to training. Whitehurst, 25, of Finsley Walk, Derby, will be sentenced after the conclusion of Davenport’s trial.

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Calum Davenport charged with sister assault after being stabbed at home

• West Ham defender required life-saving surgery on legs
• ‘I am shocked and disappointed at the decision’

The West Ham United defender Calum Davenport has today been charged with assaulting his sister during an incident in which he was stabbed in both legs six times. The 26-year-old had to undergo life-saving surgery following the incident outside his home in Bedford in August.

“I am deeply shocked and disappointed at the decision,” said Davenport in a statement. “I deny any wrongdoing and will plead not guilty. For legal reasons I am unable to discuss the matter further at this time.”

He has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm on 28-year-old Cara Davenport. A statement from Bedfordshire police read: “Mr Davenport is currently on bail to appear at Bedford magistrates’ court on 10 November.”

There had been fears after the incident that he would not play again but the centre-back, who has been left with a 15-inch scar on his leg, has been able to resume light training with West Ham. Writing on the club website recently, Davenport insisted he was feeling upbeat.

“At the moment I am still in hospital and have quite a long way to go on the road to recovery but I am feeling positive,” he said. “Thanks to the club, my team-mates and fans, to the club doctors and the amazing staff at Bedford Hospital who have looked after me so well.”

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