Eind augustus verliet gitarist Lloyd Roberts zijn band Neck Deep nadat hij beschuldigd werd van ongepast gedrag tegenover een minderjarige. Het inmiddels zeventienjarige meisje deed onlangs haar verhaal op Tumblr. Zij beweerde dat Roberts haar zo’n twee jaar geleden suggestieve foto’s stuurde en haar vroeg hetzelfde te doen.

Roberts weten niet blij te zijn met de beschuldigingen en was vastberaden zijn naam te laten zuiveren. Daarom stapte hij zelf naar de politie om de zaak te laten onderzoeken. Dit onderzoek is inmiddels afgerond en heeft uitgewezen dat de gitarist niets te vrezen heeft. Lees hieronder de statement die Roberts online zette.

In August this year I stepped down from Neck Deep after serious allegations were directed at me online.

I was horrified and sickened by these accusations and in order to clear my name, I contacted the police myself and asked them to investigate.

Now, following a thorough investigation by North Wales Police, I received confirmation yesterday that officers have found no case for me to answer and that their investigation is now closed.

It has been an immensely difficult time for both me and my family. When these claims surfaced I’d just become a dad for the first time and so the situation I found myself in with these accusations caused us all a great deal of emotional distress.

I also felt the need to step down from Neck Deep just as we were beginning to get the recognition we’d all worked so hard to achieve.

I’m now looking to put this horrendous chapter in my life behind me as I instead look forward to the future. For me, that means doing the one thing I love the most – writing and recording music.

I’ve got some exciting plans in development, so watch this space.

In the meantime I’d like to thank all of the Neck Deep fans who stuck with me and offered me support over the past few months. It meant a lot to me.

I’d also like to wish my Neck Deep comrades all the best for the future. I’m sure our paths will cross again soon.

Thanks,

Lloyd Roberts.