A PROMISING young football player has been charged with assaulting a teenager with a broken bottle.

Alex O’Leary, 18, plays for the Colchester United’s youth and reserve teams, and is on loan to Halstead Town.

He joined the Colchester team at the age of 14, and has been working his way through the ranks.

The 18-year-old was out in his home town of Rayleigh celebrating New Year’s Eve when the alleged incident is said to have happened.

A 16-year-old boy needed hospital treatment for cuts to his face after the incident in Eastwood Road, near the junction with the Chase, at about 4.40am on January 1.

It is believed he needed up to 13 stitches after allegedly being hit with a broken bottle.

O’Leary was later arrested and questioned by police. He has since been charged with assault and possessing an offensive weapon.

He has been released on conditional bail ahead of his appearance before Southend magistrates at the end of the month.

Jody Brown, manager of Halstead Town, used to work for Colchester United and coached O’Leary for two years, starting when the player was 14.

He said: “I cannot comment on the incident, as I don’t know the details.

“All I would say is I always found Alex to be a pleasant boy and I am very surprised to hear about this.

“Any decision about his future is for Colchester United, rather than Halstead Town, as we only had him on loan.”

Aidy Boothroyd, the U’s manager, declined to comment until after the court case.

Roger Grimwade, a spokesman for Essex Police, confirmed an 18-year-old Rayleigh man had been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

He added: “The charges follow an incident in Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, at about 4.40am on January 1, in which a 16-year-old Rayleigh youth sustained cuts to his chin.”