A PROMISING young footballer has been charged with attacking a teenager with a broken bottle.

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

The former FitzWimarc School pupil was out in Rayleigh celebrating New Year’s Eve when the alleged attack is said to have happened.

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

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 and will appear before Southend magistrates at the end of the month. Jody Brown, manager of Halstead Town, and who also coached O’Leary for two years from the age of 14 at Colchester United, said: “I can’t comment on the incident, as I don’t know the details surrounding it. I always found Alex to be a pleasant boy.”

Colchester manager Aidy Boothroyd declined to comment.

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

He added: “The charges follow an incident in which a 16-year-old Rayleigh youth sustained cuts to his chin.”