A PROFESSIONAL footballer who used to play for Petersfield Town is being tried in his absence over an alleged sex assault.

Cameroonian striker Guy Madjo has played for a string of English clubs, including two in Hampshire.

He moved to England in 2004 to play for the Rams, moving to Bristol City in 2005, and joined League Two side Aldershot Town for a year from January 2012.

On the opening day of the trial on Tuesday, Winchester Crown Court heard Mr Madjo groped a “tipsy” woman who was asleep on his sofa in August 2014. He had invited the 27 year old to stay at his Grayshott house, after she was locked out of her flat.

Rebecca Austin, prosecuting, said the woman had been drinking in a Grayshott pub and got her hand stuck in her letter box after discovering she had been locked out of her home.

Mr Madjo, a near neighbour, helped her remove her hand and said she could stay on his sofa.

She woke up to find herself being groped by the defendant and left.

The alleged victim called the police but claimed he followed her. She ran away and hid behind a car, where she was found by a neighbour, the court heard.

Mr Madjo, who shares the house with his wife, has denied that he touched her sexually.

The case continues.