Boxer protests innocence after arrest over alleged attack at Hilton
BOXER ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED NAeTwTAsCK ON WOMAN AT HILTON HOTEL SAYS...
AN Oldham boxer arrested over an alleged attack on a young woman at the Hilton hotel has pleaded his innocence.
Joe ‘Dangerous’ Eko, 26, posted on his Instagram page confirming he was among those detained after the 20-year-old woman had her throat slashed.
But in his message, Mr Eko added: “It had nothing to do with me.”
Armed police swarmed the scene on Deansgate after the alleged victim stumbled out of the hotel and flagged down nearby officers at around 11.10am on Monday.
Dashcam footage later emerged showing her running from the hotel in a dressing gown clutching her neck, which was bleeding heavily.
She was taken to hospital with lacerations to the throat but has since been released to recover at home.
The M.E.N. is not naming the victim and her family declined to comment yesterday.
Mr Eko, a super lightweight who made his professional debut last year, was arrested along with three other men aged 20, 24, 26, a woman aged 20 and a 17-yearold girl.
All six have now been released under investigation.
Greater Manchester Police said all were held on suspicion of attempted murder. In an Instagram message, Mr Eko disputed this claiming he was held on suspicion of section 18 wounding, a less serious offence. He added: “I had a bit of a party for my birthday and something went wrong clearly...but it had nothing to do with me or my friends. “Everybody who knows me, knows that clearly all I do is box and I’m just about my boxing life.” Police said inquiries into the incident continue and appealed for witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information can call police on 0161 856 4409 quoting incident 726 of 23/07/2018. Alternatively, call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Clearly all I do is box and I’m just about my boxing life
Joe Eko