Kevin Locke denies sex assault claims

  • Breaking
  • 08/04/2011

By Rachel Morton

Kevin Locke has admitted he’s the Warriors player being investigated by police, after a woman complained of being sexually assaulted.

The alleged incident is said to have happened in the back of the 22-year-old’s car in central Auckland, sometime in the past fortnight.

It is not the first time a league player has made headlines this year for the wrong reasons, but a player agent tells 3 News they’re getting a bad rap.

Locke is a rising Warriors star and this weekend he will take to the field against the Sydney Roosters, despite the allegations made against him.

He strenuously denies the sexual assault claims and a statement released by the Warriors and Locke’s lawyer said he wanted his name released to avoid speculation.

Locke also wanted to make it clear he had done nothing wrong. No charges have been laid and he is cooperating fully with police.

Player agent Frank Endacott says public perception that league players are all trouble makers is wrong.

“I don’t know why rugby league players get isolated, but they do,” he says.

Endacott believes it’s because the NRL is more open and honest than other sporting bodies.

“Rugby league has a policy to come clean about and name players early in the piece – whether they’re innocent or guilty,” he says.

But league never seems to far away from a scandalous headline.

Shaun Metcalf was welcomed back to the Warriors this week after serving jail time in 2004 for attacking his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

Roosters player Todd Carney was this year charged with drink-driving, there were betting scam arrests, Benji Marshall was accused of assault and two Manly Sea Eagles players were charged with offensive behaviour.

Last year, there was Joel Monaghan’s simulated sex act with a dog.

“For some reason, rugby league players have just got to spit on the sidewalk and there’s a major issue about it,” Endacott says.

The police are expected to interview Locke in the next week.

3 News

source: newshub archive