David Goodwillie plans to sue woman for accusing him of rape

London, Feb 12 (ANI): David Goodwillie, who had been accused of rape early last year, now wants to take legal action against the woman who made the claims.

A 24-year-old single mother had told cops that the Blackburn Rovers striker had attacked her on a night out.

Although prosecutors had dropped the charges against him last July, Goodwillie has been left raging after it emerged the woman was awarded 11,000 pounds in criminal compensation, even though he was cleared.

"I could have been in a jail cell for several years due to a false allegation. My life, my reputation, my career would all have been lost," The Scottish Sun quoted the footballer as saying.

"I know what happened that night and I know that I did absolutely nothing wrong. I know all the evidence and it backs me up in everything.

"I will do whatever is required to prevent my reputation being sullied any further," he said.

The Stirling-born footie star, who signed for English Premier League side Blackburn for 2.8 million pounds in the summer, said that fresh legal papers will finally remove any suspicions still hanging over him.

"My reputation has been tarnished by a catalogue of lies and untruths. Enough is enough.

"I have now instructed my legal team to take all the necessary steps to look after my interests, including a defamation action to protect my name," he said.

The evidence includes witness statements and CCTV footage, which the 22-year-old claims shows the woman's story is a web of lies.

"I find that although the most senior prosecutors refused to take the case to court I am now being tried in the court of public opinion for something of which I am innocent.

"This woman and her lawyer seem determined to undermine me. But I will have no reservations in taking my case to a civil action for defamation against her," he added. (ANI)

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