Premiership footballer's sister breaks down in court as boyfriend is charged with stabbing player in legs in race row
By Nick Mcdermott
Last updated at 10:31 PM on 24th August 2009
Premiership footballer Calum Davenport was repeatedly stabbed in the legs by his sister's boyfriend in a race row, a court has been told.
The West Ham defender is alleged to have made it clear he disapproved of her relationship with Worrell Whitehurst, who is mixed race.
Police were called to the semi-detached home of his pregnant sister, Cara, following the arrival of Whitehurst.
Both men then left the property but Davenport, 26, was later found in a pool of blood outside his mother's nearby home in Bedford.
Whitehurst, 25, was charged with grievous bodily harm at Bedford Magistrates' Court.
Miss Davenport, 28, who is expecting his baby, attended the hearing, clearly showing a black eye. She sobbed as he was brought up from the cells.
Davenport suffered severe bleeding following the attack in the early hours of Saturday. His mother Kim Stupple, 49, was also hurt in the incident.
There are still fears Davenport may lose a leg, despite four hours of emergency surgery at Bedford Hospital. He remains in a 'serious but stable' condition.
The player lost half the blood from his body, with one of the wounds piercing a main artery.
A close source said: 'Things are still very much in the balance over whether his legs will fully recover.
'We are still waiting to hear from the doctors to find out how well the operation went.'
Premiership footballers are usually insured for five seasons of earnings in case they suffer a career-ending injury, according to specialist insurers.
Davenport is estimated to earn around £15,000 a week, which could trigger a £3.9million payout if he does not fully recover.
Calum Davenport had surgery for leg wounds while his sister (right) is believed to have been present when the row broke out with her boyfriend
His mother has been released from hospital and is being cared for by family.
It is understood her son had been out with friends before the alleged attack in the driveway of her three-bedroom semi.
Davenport cost £3million from Tottenham in 2007 but is struggling to hold down a first-team place. He lives with his wife Zoey and their daughter in a large gated detached house in Greenfield, Bedfordshire.
Accused: Worrell Whitehurst is charged with grievous bodily harm
Whitehurst, of Derby, is also charged with attacking Davenport's mother, driving while disqualified and possession of a blade.
