05 May 2023 , 17:09
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A college football player has been arrested after allegedly raping a woman while she lay immobile after he pushed her so hard she fractured her spine.
20-year-old Aidan Ralph was an Iowa State University linebacker and sophomore from Chicago, though the university has since released a statement confirming he was "no longer a member of the Iowa State football program" following his arrest.
Ralph was arrested on Wednesday, May 3, on Story County felony sexual assault and violent offence charges. The charges relate to an alleged attack which took place at his home in Ames, Iowa, home.
The alleged assault is said to have taken place at around 1 am on December 3, 2022, according to court records. A police affidavit says Ralph shoved the unnamed woman several times, including once into the stairs.
Aidan Ralph allegedly pushed the woman into the stairs so hard she fractured her spine
Ralph's bond was set at $11,000 by a judge and he was appointed a public defenderIt has been reported the pair got into an argument after Ralph reportedly invited the woman to his home. Ralph then allegedly became physical, injuring his accuser.
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The woman reportedly suffered a fractured spine as a result of the pushing and shoving, which left her immobile. Police also said she had visible swelling on her back as a result of the assault.
She reportedly pleaded with Ralph to call an ambulance, police said. He refused. Instead, he lay on top of her and raped her as she cried and begged him to stop, according to the affidavit.
In a court hearing a judge set bond at $11,000 (£8,697) for Ralph and appointed a public defender to represent him. Ralph was also ordered to have no contact with his accuser, with the judge scheduling the next hearing in the case for May 15.
Ralph has been charged with third-degree sexual assault, a class C felony in Iowa, and a charge which carries a 10-year prison term.
Ralph played for the Iowa State University Cyclones football teamRalph is reportedly on scholarship for the Cyclones, however, it's been reported that he hadn't played a game since joining the team, despite being in his third season. Ralph had reportedly been redshirted, which is a delay or suspension of a player or athlete's participation in order to give them more time to develop before getting onto the field or court when it comes to athletic scholarships.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requirements say an athlete has five years, which is equivalent to 10 semesters, in which to complete four years of competition if on scholarship. Redshirting effectively allows student athletes to sit out of games or competitions for a season without impacting their four-year eligibility
The sophomore is listed as standing at 6ft 2", and weighing in a 220 pounds - according to the University football team's website, which has since removed Ralph from its listing with searches for his profile stating the page "no longer exists".
Ralph has been suspended indefinitely from all football team activities, according to an Iowa State University Athletics Department spokesperson. He reportedly joined the Cyclones from Chicago's De La Salle High School in 2021