Saints stars refused to help police

10:08am Wednesday 3rd September 2008

Saints stars Bradley Wright-Phillips and Nathan Dyer refused to help police track down the thieves who stole from barmaids at a Hampshire nightclub, the Daily Echo can reveal today.

The two footballers' reputations have been tarnished after they were caught on camera during a burglary at the nightclub - and by their refusal to help police identify three of the culprits.

Dyer, 20, of Briton Street, Southampton, who earns £5,000 a week, has admitted his role in the theft of £145 cash, two mobile phones, a driving licence and two bank cards from the staff room of the Bar Bluu nightclub in Southsea in February, and was sentenced to 60 hours' community service.

But Bradley Wright-Phillips, 23, of High Street, Southampton, who earns £8,000 a week, yesterday walked free from Portsmouth Magistrates' Court after being acquitted due to a lack of evidence against him.

He admitted being at the club on the night in February when the pair had enjoyed VIP treatment as they watched R&B star Kano and can also clearly be seen in CCTV footage of the staff room.

But he denied being involved in the crime.

District judge Anne Arnold ruled there was not enough evidence to prove he took an active role in the burglary.

Three people were clearly involved in the burglary, according to the CCTV pictures. One of them can clearly be seen rifling through staff members' handbags.

But the two Southampton footballers have refused to help police catch them, police confirmed today.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: "There were never any more charges made. There was a total of five people involved but we never managed to identify the others.

"They would have been asked as part of the interviewing process whether they knew the other people, if they had been on a night out with them and whether they were long-term friends.

"It is fair to say they refused to help identify these people."

When the allegations came out in March, both players were docked two weeks' wages.

Former England and Arsenal legend Ian Wright, father of Wright-Phillips, spoke out in support of any disciplinary action taken by Saints.

He said: "Whatever happens to him in respect of the Southampton disciplinary, I am one million per cent behind them because Bradley should have known better."

The court was yesterday shown the CCTV footage of people entering the staff room and Wright-Phillips is seen in the doorway.

But his barrister Rupert Bowers argued it is impossible to tell whether he took part in, or actively encouraged, the theft.

Mr Bowers said: "I would submit there is insufficient evidence to establish any form of criminality. It would be speculation."

Wright-Phillips, who appeared in court in a pale shirt and tie and was ticked off by district judge Anne Arnold for standing with his hands in his pockets, remained expressionless as he was told he was acquitted. He left the courtroom with his head down.

He refused to talk to reporters outside, but Mr Bowers said: "Mr Wright-Phillips always denied participating in this offence and is thankful that this has now been established.

"He deeply regrets putting himself in a position whereby he came under suspicion.

"Mr Wright-Phillips now wishes to put the whole episode behind him and concentrate on playing football for Southampton."

A spokesman for Southampton Football Club said last night: "The incident regarding Mr Dyer and Mr Wright-Phillips was dealt with internally at the time. They were both docked two weeks' wages and were both left out of the match squad for two weeks.

"Now that the courts have reached their conclusion, we would like to consider this a suitable end to the matter that will allow us to focus on football again."