Poor Gary Charles

The BBC website reports Gary Charles denied causing actual bodily harm.

Former England player Gary Charles has been given a nine-month suspended sentence for attacking a woman in a taxi office.
He punched and kicked his victim inside the depot in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, in September 2005 after she made a joke about his career.

The former Aston Villa, Derby County and Nottingham Forest defender had denied causing actual bodily harm.

He was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work by Nottingham Crown Court.

Charles, whose career ended because of injury in 2002, was found guilty after a three-day trial at Derby Crown Court.

Speaking outside Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, he told reporters: ‘I would just like to enjoy being with my little boys and get on with my life.

‘Before this case I had my life back again, after coming to terms with my problems with alcohol. This allegation was a year ago and I’ve moved on.’