In a shocking development, Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder, has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges are in relation to three women, with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against one complainant, and three further counts of rape against a second complainant. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022.
Partey has denied all the charges against him. A statement from his lawyer claims that he has fully cooperated with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.
One of the key questions surrounding this case is the length of time it took for charges to be brought. Partey was first arrested in July 2022, and the Metropolitan Police have been conducting a full investigation since then. The first report on the case was passed from the police to the CPS on December 27, 2024, 18 months after Partey was initially arrested. After further investigations, an updated file was lodged with the CPS in April, and two months later, Partey was charged.
Rape cases are some of the most difficult criminal cases to prosecute, and the CPS will only charge someone if they believe there is a "realistic possibility of conviction" when all the evidence is presented before a jury. The CPS only charges when it feels the threshold of a "realistic prospect of conviction" has been reached and there is enough information to proceed with the charges.
In 2024, Rape Crisis published statistics that showed there were 71,227 cases of rape reported to the police. The charity believes many more assaults go unreported. Conviction rates in England and Wales for rape and sexual assault are amongst the lowest for any crime, with only 2.7% of those 70,000+ cases resulting in a suspect being charged by the CPS.
The timing of the charges, just days after his Arsenal contract expired, has been a subject of intense discussion on social media. However, it's important to note that the CPS is independent of the police and makes charging decisions based solely on the evidence it sees. The CPS never alters its timescales to suit a defendant or to fit in with their employment priorities.
Under UK law, the alleged victims of sexual crimes are entitled to lifetime anonymity. By contrast, people who are arrested and accused of sexual crimes are not granted anonymity. However, in February 2022, the UK Supreme Court ruled that a person who is under criminal investigation has a reasonable expectation of privacy prior to a charge. This led to a change in how the media reported high-profile individuals who were being investigated by the police.
Arsenal has not yet suspended Partey, and it remains to be seen whether they will do so. As his employer, the club has a duty of care over him and an obligation to treat him fairly. However, they also have a duty of care over other employees, and sometimes the rights of one party can conflict with the rights of another.
The case of Thomas Partey serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges surrounding sexual crimes and their reporting. It is a matter that will undoubtedly continue to be closely watched as it progresses through the legal system.
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