Andy Carroll has publicly named Kevin Adams as the man he says sexually assaulted him, and says speaking out was scary but worth it if it helps even one person. Carroll says the assault happened a few years ago and had a devastating impact on his life and loved ones. He first revealed it in his autobiography Owning It, published last month.
Carroll's decision to speak out
Speaking to the BBC, Carroll said: "Scary to talk about but it's made [me] the person I am today as much as any of the good stuff. And if me talking about it helps just one person then good, it will have been worth it."
He also said he spent a lot of time deciding whether to include the story in the book. That hesitation fits with the rest of his account, which is personal rather than distant and stays focused on the effect it had on him and the people around him.
Carroll is 37 now, and the public naming gives his account a different weight from the first disclosure in print. The story is not about a footballing return or a fresh legal twist. It is about a player deciding that silence was no longer the right option.
The court case around Kevin Adams
The BBC says Adams was found guilty after a trial in September and sentenced the following November at Chelmsford Crown Court. Goal.com also reported that he was convicted and sentenced to 20 months in prison in 2023. Both accounts point to the same outcome, even if the month is described differently.
Carroll has said Adams was named in court documents as his abuser, and he confirmed it publicly after that. He has also said the experience had a devastating impact on his life and loved ones. Adams has not commented publicly since being named.
The key point now is simple. Carroll has attached his name to the accusation in public, after the court process had already reached its conclusion, and he has said he hopes it helps other survivors. Adams was convicted in 2023 and sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
