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All criminal charges against Mason Greenwood, the Manchester United footballer, were dropped after the Public Prosecutor’s Office (CPS) announced it was dropping the case.
The 21-year-old was charged in October with attempted rape, controlling and forcing behavior and assault.
However, a statement from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says the criminal case has now been dropped.
While Greenwood was not named in the statement, Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s head of public protection, said: “Given the significant media coverage of this case, it is only fair that we share the news that the 21-year-old man who died in the Arrested and charged in connection with an investigation opened in January 2022, will no longer be prosecuted in this connection.
“The investigation team has remained in regular contact with the Legal Department, provided important updates and therefore understands the reasons for closing the case at this stage and that this decision was not taken lightly.
“Despite media and public interest in this case, we have chosen not to comment further on it.”
Greenwood was arrested in January last year on suspicion of rape and assault and was arrested again a few days later on suspicion of having made death threats.
He was charged by Greater Manchester Police in October with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior and assault resulting in actual bodily harm after approval by the Crown Prosecutor’s Office (CPS).
He has not trained or played with the Manchester United squad since his arrest in January and the club have said the situation will remain in place until further notice.
Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, the centre-forward has been with Manchester United since he was six and also played one senior game for England national team.
He was reportedly earning £75,000 a week and has had a number of lucrative sponsorship deals.
However, following his arrest, several sponsorship deals were suspended and Manchester United also removed all Mason Greenwood merchandise from the club’s website.
A statement from the CPS said: “Mason Greenwood was indicted in October 2022 on one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercing behavior and one count of assault.
“A decision has been made to cease prosecution under the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
A CPS spokesman said: “We have a duty to keep the cases under review.
“In this case, a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material coming to light meant that there was no longer a realistic prospect of a conviction. In these circumstances, we are obliged to close the case.
“We have explained our decision to all parties.
“We would always encourage all potential victims to come forward and report to the police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is passed.”
