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Former England Striker Andy Carroll Reveals 2021 Sexual Assault
Confirmed
In Short: Former England striker Andy Carroll has revealed he was sexually assaulted in 2021 in his new autobiography, 'Owning It: In My Own Words.' The incident occurred while he was sleeping at his home in Newcastle, where he was playing for his hometown club at the time.
Carroll testified in court, describing the process as 'humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous.' The unnamed attacker was found guilty of sexual offenses and sentenced to three years in prison, placed on the sex offender register, and banned from entering the village where Carroll lived.
Carroll, who has played for Reading, West Brom, Amiens, Bordeaux, Liverpool, and West Ham, said he decided to include the incident in his book 'at the very last minute' after discussing it with his girlfriend, Lou Teasdale. He emphasized that if his story helps just one person, it will have been worth it.
The assault took place during a visit from a 'celebrity mate' of his former partner, who had encouraged Carroll to invite the man to watch a boxing match and stay at his house while she was away. After having 'a few drinks,' Carroll went to bed and was later woken by the man attempting to sexually assault him under the bedsheets.
Carroll contacted the police and recalled 'sobbing' in his children's nanny's arms. He then threw the man out of the house and knocked him unconscious when he tried to return.
Carroll's memoir, published by Pan Macmillan, comes out in hardback on Thursday, September 24, 2026. He is now a player and co-owner of Dagenham & Redbridge, which plays in the sixth tier of English soccer.
Carroll's account of the assault is detailed in his autobiography and only appears after he nearly left it out entirely. He said the incident affected every facet of his life and he kept it largely private in the years since.
What's confirmed
- Carroll, who also played in the Premier League for Liverpool and West Ham, called the police and was "sobbing" in the arms of his children's nanny. The unnamed attacker was found guilty of sexual offences and placed on the sex offender register. Carroll testified in court, a process he says was "humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous".
- He was charged with sexual offences, found guilty, sentenced to three years in prison, placed on the Sex Offender Register, and banned from entering the village where Carroll lived.
- Carroll described giving evidence in court as "humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous," and says he kept the assault largely private in the years since.
What's still developing
- Carroll joined Dagenham in July 2025 and has made six appearances in the National League South this season.
- The incident took place at Carroll's home, during his second spell with his hometown club Newcastle and led to the perpetrator being jailed for three years.
- If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can find information and support at BBC Action Line Carroll takes charge at Daggers after KSI arrival Ask about Newcastle - what do you want to know?
- Carroll says he had already found the man's behaviour unsettling before going to bed, and that he woke to being assaulted.
- Andy Carroll of Reading celebrates scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City and Reading at Carrow Road on December 30, 2022 in Norwich, England.
- Carroll came through Newcastle United's academy before a £35 million move to Liverpool in 2011 made him one of the most expensive British players in Premier League history at the time.
- Ex-England striker shares traumatic assault to help others reclaim their stories Dubai: Former Premier League footballer Andy Carroll has revealed he was sexually assaulted by a male celebrity in 2021, describing the experience as “traumatic” and saying he is still coping with its impact.
- In his new autobiography entitled ‘Owning It: In My Own Words’, Carroll revealed that ‘only a few’ of his loved ones were aware of the attack prior to the release of the book this week.
- Carroll, who won nine caps for the Three Lions between 2010 and 2012, wrote: ‘Other things I’d quite like to forget but can’t… ‘Something happened to me a few years ago that was so traumatic I only decided to include it in this book at the very last minute.
- Former England, Liverpool and Newcastle footballer Andy Carroll has bravely opened up about his trauma after he was sexually assaulted by a ‘male celebrity’ in 2021.
- Former England international striker Andy Carroll has revealed that he was the victim of sexual assault in 2021.
- Carroll made the revelation in his autobiography "Owning It," which was released on Thursday, Sept.