Latics starlet on child sex charges

FAMILY united as they go into court

AN OLDHAM Athletic footballer is to go on trial after denying sex offences involving a 14-year old girl.

Midfielder Jack Tuohy (19) entered not guilty pleas to five counts when he appeared at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday.

Smartly dressed in a blue suit and striped tie, he spoke only to confirm his name, and plea to each of the alleged offences as they were read by the court clerk.

Tuohy, who lives in Shaw, is charged with meeting the underage girl following sexual grooming, two counts of sexual activity with a child, and two of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

One of them relates to his intentionally encouraging the youngster to send him indecent photographs of herself.

The alleged offences took place between May 1 and October 18 last year. They communicated via a social network site, and she claims that he knew her age at the time.

The footballer has been allowed bail pending his trial in February next year, with strict conditions that he does not attempt to contact the girl or any prosecution witness.

Tuohy made his debut for Oldham at the age of 18 as a substitute against Peterborough, which saw his father miss out on collecting on a £25,000 bet made when Jack was five, that he would make his professional debut before he was 18.

The player, who was suspended by Latics when he was charged with the sex offences, had played for his club as a substitute against Shrewsbury Town, and at Barnsley.

As a youngster he signed for Blackburn Rovers who were then a Premier League side, and he was spotted by Latics at county trials when he was 14.