Callum Harriott says his career has been 'shattered'

Callum Harriott said he was “devastated” by the allegation made against him regarding a night out in Colchester in November 2019.

The complainant, a woman in her twenties, claimed she was raped while she slept at Mr Harriott’s former home in Rotary Way, Colchester, hours after the pair met in a cocktail bar.

But a jury at Ipswich Crown Court unanimously cleared the 28-year-old of the charge on Friday following a five-day trial.

Footballer - Callum Harriott

Following the verdict, the footballer, who played for Colchester United between 2019 and 2021, issued a statement on Twitter stating the damage his career has suffered is “irrecoverable”.

“The arrest relied upon baseless allegations which were exposed by a belated and full investigation long before the trial commenced,” said Mr Harriott, who now lives in Biggin Hill, Greater London.

“Not only were my family and I devastated by the false claim but my career shattered.

“The public had appeared to have already made up their minds due to the reports in the media, only for me to be exonerated by a unanimous jury verdict three years later.

“But the damage had been done. I was subjected to online abuse and vilification.

“Three years lost in a successful young footballer’s playing career is irrecoverable, it is lifechanging.

“The damage done to family, friends, colleagues, my professional life and income was intolerable.

“I could not have survived the ordeal had it not been for the unwavering support of my close friends, many colleagues and my family.”

Mr Harriott, who scored 12 goals in 64 appearances for the U’s, nodded and held his head in his hands when the jury returned their verdict on Friday afternoon.

The winger added he lost another year of his professional career due to delays regarding the crown court backlog.

“As the verdict of the jury has demonstrated, this was entirely without justification,” he said.