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- Hello and welcome to the live blog of the opening of Sunderland footballer Jack Diamond's trial.
- Bruce Unwin will bring you live updates from Newcastle Crown Court as the trial progresses.
- The 23-year-old winger is on trial on rape and sexual assault charges.
- Jurors were told the hearing is expected to last for at least three days.
- In selecting the jury, potential members were told that the defendant is a professional footballer, employed by Sunderland AFC, as is one of the witnesses.
- Judge Bindloss told the 15 potential panellists that the case was not about football.
- He also asked any of them if they were season ticket holders of either Sunderland AFC or neighbours Newcastle United FC to indicate before the jury selection.
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