Sunderland player Jack Diamond ‘raped woman he met on Tinder after promising “cuddles” at home he shared with teammate’

A SUNDERLAND footballer raped a woman he met on a dating site at the home he shared with a teammate, a court heard.

Jack Diamond, 23, allegedly attacked the woman after inviting her over for "cuddling".

Once she arrived, the winger made it clear he "wanted more than that"; and raped and sexually assaulted her, it is said.

The alleged attack took place at the home Diamond previously shared with his Black Cats teammate Anthony Patterson.

Newcastle Crown Court was told the woman feared he was messaging Mr Patterson to arrange a "threesome" after noticing the player on his phone.

Jurors heard the Diamond, who claims the sex was consensual, met the complainant on Tinder.

She told police she agreed to go to the footballer's home "just for cuddles" as she was not on the pill at the time.

The woman "eventually" consented to some sexual activity before Diamond fell asleep.

When he awoke, the court heard he began to "feel and caress" the woman even when she asked him to stop.

Prosecutor David Povall said: "She asked him to stop and told him she wasn't in the mood, but he persisted."

Diamond then allegedly sexually assaulted the woman while he "straddled"; her - causing her physical pain.

Jurors heard she turned her back to Diamond as he performed a sex act on himself before he pushed her underwear to one side and raped her.

Mr Povall said: "Some time later, she realised he was messaging on his phone, and she feared that he was communicating with (Sunderland goalkeeper) Anthony Patterson, his housemate, who had previously raised the possibility of a threesome.

"She didn't want to get into that situation. Fearful of what might happen, she messaged a friend, asking for help.

"He told her to leave immediately, which she did. Her friend met her at her house, where he saw the very emotional and distressed state she was in, and he waited with her till the police arrived."

During her interview with police, she said she felt "sick" over the alleged attack and "turned over and cried" after.

She said he "grabbed her wrists" and was "quite aggressive" during, telling officers: "It was like a switch had gone off."

The complainant added: "I've never felt that way before. I thought I was going to physically throw up".

Diamond, who denies rape and assault by penetration, told officers she had initiated the sexual contact, which he claimed he rejected.

He also claimed the woman was "jealous and possessive";, the court heard.

Diamond was on loan at League One club Lincoln City, who have since terminated his contract, when he was charged last season.

The forward has also been suspended from Sunderland while the criminal case continues.

Diamond made 45 appearances for the team - including when they won the Papa John's Trophy at Wembley in 2021.

He scored eight times in 36 matches for League One club Lincoln last season.

The trial continues.