Former England striker Andy Carroll has revealed that he was sexually assaulted at his home in 2021, disclosing the “traumatic” ordeal publicly for the first time in his newly released autobiography, “Owning It.” His attacker, an unnamed celebrity acquaintance of his former partner, was subsequently convicted and sentenced to three years in prison.
Table of Contents
What Happened
According to Carroll’s account, the incident occurred on an evening after he had played for Newcastle United, when a man he described as a “celebrity mate” of his former partner invited himself over to watch a boxing match. Carroll wrote that he had always felt something was “odd” about the man. After having a few drinks, Carroll went to bed and later woke to find the man assaulting him. He wrote that he removed the man from the house, and when the individual attempted to force his way back in, Carroll knocked him unconscious before calling the police.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Andy Carroll |
| Age | 37 |
| Current Club | Dagenham & Redbridge (co-owner and player) |
| Incident Date | 2021, at his home |
| Context | Hours after playing for Newcastle United (second spell) |
| Attacker | Unnamed “celebrity mate” of his then-partner |
| Outcome | Convicted of sexual offences, sentenced to 3 years in prison |
| Additional Sanctions | Placed on National Sex Offender Register, banned from entering Carroll’s village |
| Disclosure | Autobiography “Owning It,” released this week |
The Legal Process
The man denied the allegations but was subsequently charged with sexual offences and stood trial, where Carroll testified. He described the court process as “humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous.” At the trial’s conclusion, the attacker was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison, in addition to being placed on the National Sex Offender Register and banned from entering the village where Carroll lived.
Why He Went Public
Carroll wrote that the assault affected every part of his life, saying he thought about it daily and that it made it difficult to focus on anything else, including football, adding that the trauma of what happened to him hasn’t gone away. He revealed he only decided to include the account in his book “at the very last minute,” after discussing the decision at length with his girlfriend, Lou Teasdale.
In the book, Carroll wrote plainly about naming what happened to him, describing it as scary to talk about but something that has shaped who he is today as much as any positive experience has, and expressing hope that speaking out could help even one other person who has been through something similar.
Carroll’s Career and Life Since
Carroll, who made his name at Newcastle United before a British-record £35 million move to Liverpool in 2011, also had spells at West Ham and earned nine England caps. He now co-owns and plays for National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge, having joined the club in 2025 following stints in France with Bordeaux and Amiens.
Why It Matters
Carroll’s decision to speak publicly about being a survivor of sexual assault is a rare and significant disclosure from a high-profile male athlete, in a landscape where survivors — particularly men — often face additional barriers to coming forward. His account adds a prominent voice to a broader, ongoing conversation about sexual violence against men, and underscores how the trauma of such an experience can persist long after a legal case concludes.
Read More: Premier League Clubs Planning Legal Action Following Guilty Verdict Against Manchester City
FAQs
When did the assault on Andy Carroll take place?
In 2021, at his home, on an evening after he had played for Newcastle United.
What happened to Carroll’s attacker?
He was convicted of sexual offences, sentenced to three years in prison, placed on the National Sex Offender Register, and banned from entering Carroll’s village.
Why did Carroll decide to reveal this publicly?
He said he hoped that speaking about it could help others, after deciding to include the account in his autobiography following discussions with his girlfriend, Lou Teasdale.
Where did Carroll disclose this experience?
In his autobiography, “Owning It,” released this week.
Which clubs did Andy Carroll play for during his career?
Newcastle United, Liverpool, and West Ham, along with spells in France at Bordeaux and Amiens; he now plays for Dagenham & Redbridge.
