Footballer Guy Madjo jailed in absence for sex assault

A professional footballer has been jailed for three-and-a-half years in his absence for sexually assaulting a woman in his home.

Cameroonian striker Guy Madjo invited the 27-year-old to sleep on his sofa at his home in Grayshott, Hampshire, after she was locked out of her flat.

Winchester Crown Court heard she woke up to find him assaulting her.

The 31-year-old, who previously played for Tranmere Rovers and Aldershot, did not attend the trial.

A previous hearing was told he was in West Africa and had recently played for teams in Gabon.

A warrant for his arrest was issued in May but the trial went ahead when he failed to return to the UK.

'Being followed'

Prosecutors said the victim had been drinking in her local pub and returned to her flat to find she had been locked out by her partner.

She got her hand stuck in the letterbox and called police for help, but while she was on the phone Madjo - who lived nearby - helped her remove her hand.

Rebecca Austin, prosecuting, said when the victim woke up to discover she was being assaulted, she immediately left the house.

Ms Austin said: "She left, walked away and called the police - she said she was being followed by him.

"She ran away from Mr Madjo, she fell and then she hid behind a car. She was found by a neighbour."

Mr Madjo has played for Tranmere Rovers, Aldershot, Bristol City, Forest Green Rovers, Stafford Rangers, Crawley Town and Shrewsbury Town.

He also played for Plymouth Argyle, Stevenage and Macclesfield Town, as well as the Cameroon under-23 national team.