Bradley Wright-Phillips pleaded not guilty today to a charge of burglary relating to the theft of cash and mobile phones from a nightclub staff room.
The Southampton winger entered the plea at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court to a
charge of a non-dwelling burglary at the Bar Bluu club in Southsea, Hampshire,
on February 28.
His team-mate Nathan Dyer also appeared in court but did not enter a plea to
the same charge.
Wright-Phillips elected for his case to be heard at the Crown Court and his
case was adjourned until September 2 for a committal hearing before Portsmouth
magistrates.
The case against Dyer was adjourned for a further hearing before Portsmouth
magistrates on July 25.
As the footballers left the court, they were met by a group of local youths who
chanted 'Up Pompey', referring to the long-standing rivalry between Portsmouth
and Southampton football clubs.
Wright-Phillips, 23, the son of former England star Ian Wright and younger
half-brother of Chelsea and England player Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Dyer were
arrested after staff at the nightclub reported the alleged theft.
The court heard that cash totalling £145, two mobile phones, a driving licence,
two bank cards and other personal effects were allegedly stolen during the
burglary.
The investigation by Hampshire police was launched after five men were filmed
on CCTV entering the staff room at the seafront club.
Southampton Football Club declined to comment while the matters against the
players, who both live in Briton Street, Southampton, was being investigated by
the police and the case goes through the courts.
