Charge against rugby star dropped

Mr Barkley always denied assaulting Simon Cole

An England rugby star, accused of assaulting a fellow guest at a wedding, has had the charge against him dropped.

Olly Barkley, 26, of Bath, had earlier denied attacking TV producer Simon Cole after a reception at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire last July.

At Aylesbury Crown Court, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, due to a lack of evidence.

The Bath fly-half has 21 England caps and played in the 2007 World Cup.

Following the decision, Mr Barkley said: "I am really pleased that I am now able to put this behind me.

'Keep focused'

"I refused to allow it to affect me on the pitch and hopefully my performances have demonstrated that.

"But now I am just happy to move on from it and do what I can to bring home some silverware this season."

He added: "I have had so much support from my friends, family and the club during this whole time and they have helped me keep focused."

Barkley was not considered for this year's Six Nations tournament because of the impending court case.

But he will now be in contention for England's summer tour to New Zealand.

Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's director of elite rugby, said: "We are all delighted for Olly. This has been hanging over him for nine months and it must have been a very anxious time."

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