Footballer Lee Hughes has escaped with a fine after admitting to assaulting a woman before an FA cup match.

Hughes was arrested in December last year at the Aerodrome Hotel, Purley, the night before his team Notts County, were due to play Sutton United after being accused of committing sexual assault.

At Croydon Crown Court today Hughes pleaded guilty to common assault, while charges of sexual assault were dropped after prosecution lawyers offered no evidence.

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £120 costs.

A spokesman for the Crime Prosecution Service said: “Following a further review of the evidence available in this case the Crown Prosecution Service has concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for a charge of sexual assault and accordingly we have offered no evidence.”

Hughes, who has previously played for West Brom and Oldham, was jailed for six years for causing death by dangerous driving in 2004.