West Ham´s Davenport denies assaulting sister

West Ham defender Calum Davenport was charged Wednesday with assaulting his sister during an incident in which her boyfriend stands accused of stabbing both him and the player’s mother.

The 26-year-old Davenport denies the charge of assault causing actual bodily harm on a woman. Sources said the woman in question was his sister Cara, 28.

Her boyfriend Worrell Whitehurst, 25, has appeared in court charged with attacking the footballer and his mother, 49-year-old Kim Stupple.

Sources said the two incidents were related but happened at separate times of the day.

Davenport required surgery on both legs after the incident outside his family home in Bedford, southern England, on August 22.

“I am deeply shocked and disappointed at the decision that has been made to charge me with assault,” Davenport said 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.”

A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman told AFP: “Calum Davenport has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm on a woman following an incident in Bedford on August 22.”

He has been bailed to appear in court on November 10, she added.

Whitehurst’s next appearance in court is on November 16.

The incident left Davenport’s career hanging in the balance. Medics had to cut through muscle to repair damage to an artery. The surgery left him with a 15-inch (38-centimetre) scar.

On September 19 he wrote on West Ham’s website: “I am still in hospital and have quite a long way to go on the road to recovery but I am feeling positive.

“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.

“It has been a tough time and the support has been very much appreciated.”

However, he has since been able to return to light training and swimming.

Davenport is a former England Under-21 international, who cost West Ham three million pounds (4.9 million dollars, 3.3 million euros) when he joined from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in 2007.

Davenport spent a spell on loan at English Premier League rivals Sunderland last season and has also been loaned out to Watford.

The centre-back started his career at Coventry and has also played on loan at Southampton and Norwich.