Skelton arrested but he strangely denies it

chevychase · Post by **chevychase** » 04 Dec 2006, 09:45

BOXER Matt Skelton has been arrested after allegedly attacking a man he believed sent his wife secret text messages asking her out.

The 39-year-old British heavyweight champion was quizzed by police for six hours over claims he battered dad-of-one John Lavin (pictured above) who needed hospital treatment.

Officers said Skelton flew into a rage after finding a text on wife Rachael's mobile he believed was from the housing association boss asking to meet up with her.

He drove 80 miles from his house in Bedford to Mr Lavin's £400,000 home in Horbling, Lincs, to confront the married dad-of-one.

The 44-year-old was knocked unconscious and suffered concussion and serious facial injuries.

Mr Lavin's terrified pregnant wife Sinead called police but Skelton had left by the time officers arrived.

He was arrested on his way back home where he lives with Rachael and their children Chantay, 19, and two-year-old Bailey and now faces assault charges.

When approached by the Mirror the 18-stone boxer, known as the Bedford Banger, denied the attack, which allegedly happened as he prepared for Saturday's TV fight against Audley Harrison. He said: "I don't know anything about it. I've never even heard of this town where it's supposed to have happened. I definitely haven't been arrested.

"And I haven't had anything to do with the police for 15 years and then it was only because I played rugby with some of them."

But a Lincolnshire police source said: "A 999 call was received from a house in Horbling alleging an assault.

Officers found a man with facial injuries and concussion who was treated in hospital.

"A request was sent to Bedfordshire police asking for them to detain a 39-year-old man on our behalf on suspicion of an assault offence. A 39-year-old man was detained and questioned."

Mr Lavin and his wife, who were at a party with Skelton and Rachael days before last Thursday's attack, withdrew their allegation - but police said the boxer could be charged with assault anyway.

A spokesman added: "This matter is not over. The file is being submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service who may decide to bring a prosecution based on what officers saw and were told at the time."

Skelton has pulled out of the Harrison clash, insisting he broke a hand in training.

Mr Lavin refused to comment on the alleged attack. He said: "I just want it all to go away."

Powerful-punching Skelton, who grew up in Bedford, has had 20 fights since turning professional three years ago and won 19.

His only defeat was last year to former British heavyweight champ Danny Williams.

He was also a world champion kick boxer who lived and fought in Japan for four years before returning to England to take up his new profession.

E · Post by E » 04 Dec 2006, 09:50

Have you got link to the article?

chevychase · Post by **chevychase** » 04 Dec 2006, 09:57

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/

scroll down a bit for the story.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 04 Dec 2006, 10:02

Bit of a shocker.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 04 Dec 2006, 10:07

Can't we get Lavin in to fight Audley?

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 04 Dec 2006, 10:09

Audley Harrison post-fight "Well it took Skelton well over an hour to dispose of Lavin if you include the drive to Lincs and I've outpointed the 44 year old housing association officer over 8 rounds. A-Force is back homies and this time next year I'll be world champ!"

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 04 Dec 2006, 12:18

Must be how he broke his hand...allegedly.

Nels · Post by **Nels** » 04 Dec 2006, 12:51

I'd take Lavin over Audley.

Too much experience & guile for the lad...

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 04 Dec 2006, 13:44

Goz wrote:Audley Harrison post-fight "Well it took Skelton well over an hour to dispose of Lavin if you include the drive to Lincs and I've outpointed the 44 year old housing association officer over 8 rounds. A-Force is back homies and this time next year I'll be world champ!"

TOO funny!!!! I laughed outloud in a quiet office when I read that!!!

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 04 Dec 2006, 16:05

Well if this is true , then Lavin must be up for a stupidity reward

rhino222 · Post by **rhino222** » 04 Dec 2006, 18:03

bloody hell, horbling is about 4 miles from me !!!!!

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 05 Dec 2006, 10:35

If this is true, which it doesn't seem to be, then too frickin bad for Lavin. If you send someones WIFE text messages asking for a drink or whatever you have to be prepared for the consequences which will almost certainly be violence when said wifes husband happens to be a professional boxer.

Guy should drop all charges and accept he was in the wrong. Christ almight men aren't even allowed to fight anymore, even when someone tries knob your wife.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 05 Dec 2006, 16:09

Yep, the training injury looks as if its a cover for a bit of bare fist fighting that lead to a damaged hand - Very silly man getting on the wrong side of Matt - However Matt says he wasnt there so maybe Lavin fell down the stairs - As a big fan of Skeltons, the injury whatever way he got it is a huge dissapointment - I was really looking forward to seeing Matt dispose of Harrison.

harrygreb · Post by **harrygreb** » 06 Dec 2006, 09:35

brilliant post by goz!!

audley was in fact once pulled in by the police for assault - the man in question was in a really bad way, his face was a complete mess. in court audley insisted on showing the judge a video compilation of his exploits in the ring - the case was dismissed soon after.

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 06 Dec 2006, 10:00

I love it when someone gets a hiding for been a complete tosser. On the other hand not a smart move by Skeleton if the man pressed charges he would not be treated that sympathetical as a boxer with lethal weapons and pre-planning the incident.

don't call it a comeback · Post by **don't call it a comeback** » 07 Dec 2006, 08:51

Goz wrote:Can't we get Lavin in to fight Audley?

Hmmm....doesn't look like a man with "serious facial injuries".

dookus · Post by **dookus** » 07 Dec 2006, 09:00

I was just thinking that, he's not got a mark on him. Maybe it was a different Matt Skelton

jomothepure · Post by **jomothepure** » 07 Dec 2006, 09:20

livingstone cole wrote:This incident throws up a lot of questions. They main one being, how hot must Skelton's wife be for this guy to risk it?

I'll bet my house she's better looking than Skelton anyway.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 07 Dec 2006, 09:33

don't call it a comeback wrote:
Goz wrote:Can't we get Lavin in to fight Audley?

Hmmm....doesn't look like a man with "serious facial injuries".

Looks a bit like Garry Glitter.

harrygreb · Post by **harrygreb** » 07 Dec 2006, 17:36

actually she's a cracker....er, so i've heard