American Footballer Taylor Facing Four Years For Rape Charge

Retired American football great LAWRENCE TAYLOR has been released on $75,000 (£50,000) bail after he was arraigned on rape charges involving a minor.

The former New York Giants star, 51, was arrested in the early hours of Thursday (06May10) at the Holidome Hotel in Montebello, New York amid allegations he paid a 16-year-old girl $300 (£200) for sex.

Police officials have confirmed the teen had to be treated for injuries and supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence added, “She got punched in the face. We’re not sure who did it.”

Taylor appeared in a New York courtroom in handcuffs on Thursday afternoon, when he was formally charged with third-degree rape and patronising a prostitute.

Prosecutors requested bail be set at $100,000 (£66,670) but the judge presiding over the case set the bond at $75,000 after Taylor’s lawyer protested the amount, branding it “ludicrous”.

In a press conference held immediately after Taylor’s arraignment, his attorney Arthur Aidala insisted his client was innocent, stating, “My client did not have sex with her… Lawrence Taylor did not rape anyone.”

Aidala added, “He’s devastated, absolutely devastated.”

If convicted, Taylor faces up to four years in prison.

The troubled sportsman has a history of legal problems, including previous arrests for drug and alcohol abuse.

He played for the Giants from 1981 to 1993 and is an NFL Hall of Fame honouree. He recently became a reality TV star in America when he appeared on Dancing with the Stars.