Sunderland footballer Jack Diamond has appeared in court charged with rape and sexual assault.

The 23-year-old of Falstone in Fatfield, Washington, appeared before Judge Zoe Passfield at South Tyneside Magistrate's Court today (Friday, May 5) The Sunderland winger has been charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault of a female aged 16 or over.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between May 6 and May 9 last year on Wearside.

The Judge sent the case to Newcastle Crown Court with the next hearing scheduled to take place on June 2 at 9am.

Diamond was granted unconditional bail.

Diamond joined Sunderland’s academy at the age of 14, and made his senior debut for the club in an EFL Trophy game in October 2018.

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He made his Black Cats league debut in a 2-0 win over Swindon Town in October 2020 and has made a total of 45 senior appearances for the club, scoring two goals.

He was a second-half substitute in Sunderland’s Papa John’s Trophy final win over Tranmere Rovers at Wembley in March 2021, and has had three previous loan spells with Harrogate Town as well as a brief period with Spennymoor Town at the start of his career.

The Northern Echo reported in March that Diamond had been suspended by Sunderland AFC with immediate effect following the charges.

His loan agreement at Lincoln City Football Club has also been terminated.