Former Jamaica youth international Jevani Brown, top scorer with his English League 1 club this season, has been charged with assaulting a woman following an incident in the centre of Exeter, the county town of Devon, last week.
The 28-year-old, UK-born forward will appear in court next week – and will not feature for his southwest third-tier side, Exeter City until legal proceedings have been concluded, officials said.
Police were called to Queen Street, Exeter in the early hours of Thursday, February 2, following reports of a woman having been assaulted in the area. Officers attended and an arrest was made.
“Exeter City Football Club is aware of the charge made against Jevani Brown,” a statement from the club indicated. “As this is a legal matter, we are unable to make any comment until legal proceedings have been concluded. He will not be selected to play during this period.”
Brown did not train with the squad last Thursday or Friday following the incident, and he was suspended for the home match on Saturday against Charlton Athletic, which the visitors won 2-1, because of a “club disciplinary matter”.
“We have standards at this club, and if you don’t rise to them or match them, then no matter who you are, you won’t play on a Saturday,” Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell said.
On Thursday, Caldwell said Brown and fellow transfer target Josh Key were “fully committed and ready to give everything for the club until the end of the season”.
Brown is the top scorer for 11th-placed Exeter this season with 14 goals. He has provided nine assists and has the second-highest level of goal contributions in League 1.
Jevani Brown was the subject of a bid from rivals Portsmouth late in the January transfer window, but Exeter – nicknamed the Grecians – turned it down.
A statement from Devon and Cornwall police indicated: “Police were called to Queen Street, Exeter, in the early hours of Thursday, February 2, following reports of a female having been assaulted in the area. Officers attended and an arrest was made.
“Police have since charged a man in connection to this matter. Jevani Jason Brown, aged 28, originally from Luton, but currently residing in Exeter, has been charged with assault by beating. He has been released on bail and is due to appear before Exeter Magistrates Court on Thursday, 16 February.”
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