GILLINGHAM footballer Marlon King has been arrested on suspicion of attacking a policeman with a beer bottle. The player was detained by police in London following a brawl in Streatham.

It is alleged that King, 21, attacked a plain clothes officer, leaving him with cuts to his head and suffering concussion. The player was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. He has been bailed to appear at a London police station later this month. If charged and ultimately found guilty he would face the prospect of a prison sentence.

The alleged attack happened in the early hours of Sunday, September 23, in Ardwell Road, in the centre of Streatham. King allegedly struck the police officer on the back of the head while he was speaking to a man who appeared to be urinating in the street.

King joined Gillingham for £250,000 from Third Division side Barnet on June 28 last year. He is regarded as Gillingham FC's most valuable playing asset and worth about £3million.