CNN —
Charges of attempted rape and assault against Manchester United midfielder Mason Greenwood were dropped on Thursday, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), as a consequence of the absence of key witnesses. The CPS claims that a claim of utilising coercive and controlling behaviour was also dropped.
A CPS spokesman said, “In this case, there was no longer a realistic likelihood of conviction due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and recently uncovered evidence. Given these circumstances, we have an obligation to discontinue the action. All parties have been notified of our decision. We encourage any potential victims to come forward and get in touch with the police, and we will bring charges in any situation where the legal prerequisites are met.
CNN attempted to get in touch with Greenwood’s attorney for comment, but no answer was received soon away. According to The Guardian, Greenwood denied the accusations of an attempted rape.
The club will now follow its own process before reaching a decision, Manchester United said in a statement on Thursday. The statement said, “Manchester United acknowledges the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped. Until that operation is complete, we won’t say anything further.
Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, head of public safety for Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said the decision to drop the charges was not “taken lightly.” She also underlined “GMP’s commitment to investigate allegations of violence against women and children.”
Kerr urged people not to allow this incident deter them from getting help if they think they are or could be victims.
Greenwood was accused of attempted rape, coercive behaviour, and section 47 assault against a lady in October 2022.
Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 as a result of recordings and images being posted on social media. The same month, Manchester United put the 21-year-old, who has played once for England, on inactive status. Since then, he hasn’t made an appearance for the squad. Nike also ended their affiliation with Greenwood.
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