From the Guardian · · 1m 20s
Andy Carroll reveals 2021 sexual assault in autobiography
The former England striker broke his silence about being attacked at home, saying the trauma affected every part of his life.
In brief
The former England striker broke his silence about being attacked at home, saying the trauma affected every part of his life. Carroll decided to share his assault story publicly to help others, despite the difficulty of reliving the trauma. Originally reported by the Guardian.
Carroll breaks silence on assault
Former England forward Andy Carroll revealed in his autobiography that he was sexually assaulted by a man at his home in 2021 while he slept.
“I was sexually assaulted, there I said it. Scary to even think about and only a few people knew about it before now.”
Attacker jailed, found guilty
The offender, a friend of Carroll's former partner who was staying at the house, was later jailed for three years after being found guilty of sexual offences.
Carroll fought back, testified
Carroll threw the man out of his house and knocked him unconscious when he tried to get back inside. He later testified in court, describing the experience as humiliating and horrendous.
“Humiliating and embarrassing and absolutely horrendous.”
Trauma affected every part of life
Carroll said the assault affected every facet of his life, making it difficult to focus on anything else, including football. He thought about it every day.
“What happened to me affected every facet of my life.”
Decided to share to help others
Carroll included the incident in his autobiography at the last minute after discussing it with his partner Lou Teasdale, hoping his story might help someone else.
“If me talking about it helps just one person then good, it will have been worth it.”
The short version
Carroll decided to share his assault story publicly to help others, despite the difficulty of reliving the trauma.
