MANCHESTER United’s Mason Greenwood has had all charges of attempted rape and assault against him dropped.
The Manchester United striker, 21, was first arrested in January last year after police swooped on his mansion.
But charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control were today dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service said a number of “key witnesses” withdrew and “new material” came to light.
A CPS spokesperson said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review. In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.”
And in a statement released this evening on Greenwood’s future, Manchester United said: “The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.”
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Mason Greenwood’s history at the club
Greenwood joined Man Utd aged six to play for the club’s development school in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
He progressed through to join the under-18 squad for the 2017-18 season.
Greenwood then made his first-team competitive debut as an 87th-minute substitute in the team’s 3-1 win against PSG in the Champions League in March 2019.
And his first goal for the club came in their Europa League opener against Kazakh side Astana in September 2019.
Gary Neville ‘condemns violence against women’ after Greenwood-related Twitter like
Manchester United legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has taken to Twitter to defend liking a tweet about Mason Greenwood.
The tweet in question, shared by Nazir Afzal, the former director of public prosecutions, read: “Mason Greenwood has had all charges against him dropped by the Prosecutors What’s changed you may ask?
“It appears that (some) witnesses will no longer support a prosecution & new evidence came to light It happens.
“He is an innocent man, that’s all we need to know.”In response to backlash for liking the tweet, Mr Neville responded: “I liked a tweet relating to the Mason Greenwood news this afternoon from Nazir Afzal. ( the former director of public prosecutions ).
“This like is being misinterpreted. It was a clumsy like as I obviously condemn any violence against women.”
Mason Greenwood has all charges against him dropped
Greenwood, 21, had all charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control against him dropped.
His name has also remained on Man Utd’s first-team squad list on its official website.
Greenwood was first arrested in January last year after police swooped on his mansion.
What were the alleged offences?
Man U footballer Mason Greenwood last appeared in court in November where a trial date was set for November 23 this year.
The alleged offences related to one woman and were said to have taken place between November 1, 2018, and October 15, 2022.
Greenwood was accused of “repeatedly engaging” in controlling and coercive behaviour for almost four years – including making threats and derogatory comments on social media.
He was also charged with attempting to rape the woman on October 21, 2021, and allegedly assaulted her between December 12, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
The CPS has dropped all charges against Greenwood
Mason Greenwood has charges dropped by CPS
MASON Greenwood has had all charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control against him dropped.
The Manchester United striker, 21, was first arrested in January last year after police swooped on his mansion.
Greenwood was due to stand trial in November accused of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
The Crown Prosecution today confirmed they had dropped all charges against him.
What has the Crown Prosecution Service said?
A spokesperson said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
“In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
“In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.
“We have explained our decision to all parties.
“We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
Greenwood missed out on Three Lions’ World Cup campaign last year
In 2020, England manager Gareth Southgate gave the striker his first cap when Greenwood came off the bench in a 1-0 win against Iceland.
Greenwood missed out on last year’s Three Lions’ World Cup campaign in Qatar as the case went to court.
Utd have not yet released a statement following the development.
Mason Greenwood remains on Man United’s Premier League squad list
MASON Greenwood has remained on Manchester United’s squad list after his charges were dropped.
The forward, 21, has his name on the first-team page on the official website in a possible indication he could resume his football career.
Read more on the story here.
Why were the charges dropped against Mason Greenwood? (2/2)
“In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case. We have explained our decision to all parties.
“We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s Head of Public Protection, added: “The investigation team has remained in regular contact with the legal team, providing any updates of note, and so understand the rationale for the discontinuation of proceedings at this stage, and that this decision has not been taken lightly.
“Despite the media and public’s interest in this case, we have decided not to comment on it in any further detail.
“I would, however, like to use this opportunity to reiterate GMP’s commitment to investigating allegations of violence against women and girls and supporting those affected, regardless of their circumstances, throughout what can be a hard and upsetting time for them.”
Why were the charges dropped against Mason Greenwood? (1/2)
The CPS said that their decision to drop the charges was made with the case under “continuous review”.
They also said the decision was made in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
Speaking on the case, a CPS spokesperson said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
“In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
BREAKING: Mason Greenwood releases statement
Following the news that all charges would be dropped, Greenwood said: “I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support.
“There will be no further comment at this time.”
When was Mason Greenwood arrested?
Greenwood was first arrested in January 2022, after police swooped in on his £15,000-a-month rented home.
He was originally remanded in custody after and spent three nights there, before being charged by police on October 15.
However, a judge released him on the condition he does not contact witnesses, including the complainant, and resides at an address in Bowdon.
The 21-year-old was then due to stand trial in November.
He was also suspended from Man Utd, but still received his £75,000-a-week salary.What were the charges against Mason Greenwood?
Man U footballer Mason Greenwood was accused of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
The alleged offences related to one woman and were said to have taken place between November 1, 2018, and October 15, 2022.
The footballer was accused of “repeatedly engaging” in controlling and coercive behaviour for almost four years.
This included making threats and derogatory comments on social media.
He was also charged with attempting to rape the woman on October 21, 2021, and allegedly assaulted her between December 12, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
Mason Greenwood’s history at the club
Greenwood joined Man Utd aged six to play for the club’s development school in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
He progressed through to join the under-18 squad for the 2017-18 season.
Greenwood then made his first-team competitive debut as an 87th-minute substitute in the team’s 3-1 win against PSG in the Champions League in March 2019.
And his first goal for the club came in their Europa League opener against Kazakh side Astana in September 2019.
The decision has not been taken lightly, says Greater Manchester Police
Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s Head of Public Protection, said today: “The investigation team has remained in regular contact with the legal team, providing any updates of note, and so understand the rationale for the discontinuation of proceedings at this stage, and that this decision has not been taken lightly.
“Despite the media and public’s interest in this case, we have decided not to comment on it in any further detail.
“I would, however, like to use this opportunity to reiterate GMP’s commitment to investigating allegations of violence against women and girls and supporting those affected, regardless of their circumstances, throughout what can be a hard and upsetting time for them.
“An ever increasing number of officers are receiving specialist training and the force is more consistently utilising tools, available via the criminal justice system, to keep people safe and care for victims.
“If you feel you are or might be a victim, please don’t let this case put you off asking for help.”
When did Greenwood last play for Manchester United?
Greenwood last played for the Red Devils on January 22 last year when the team beat West Ham 1-0.
The player joined the club aged just six and rose through the ranks to land himself a regular spot on the first team.
In 2019, he became the youngest footballer to play for United in the Champions League when he took to the pitch aged 17.
BREAKING: Manchester United releases statement
A statement from Manchester United Football Cub reads:
“Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped.
The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps.
“We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.”
Greenwood suspended by club during trial
During the trial, Mason Greenwood was suspended from Utd but still received his £75,000-a-week salary.
Greenwood was removed from FIFA 22 and dropped by sponsors Nike in the wake of the allegations.
Football Manager 2022 also confirmed he would not feature in the game.
All merchandise bearing the No11’s name was axed from the official Utd site and teammates unfollowed him on Instagram.
Greenwood was originally remanded in custody
The footballer was originally remanded in custody after being charged by police on October 15.
But a judge released him on the condition he does not contact witnesses, including the complainant, and resides at an address in Bowdon.
The striker also spent three nights in custody after he was arrested at his £15,000-a-month rented home in Trafford last January.
What were the alleged offences?
Man U footballer Mason Greenwood last appeared in court in November where a trial date was set for November 23 this year.
The alleged offences related to one woman and were said to have taken place between November 1, 2018, and October 15, 2022.
Greenwood was accused of “repeatedly engaging” in controlling and coercive behaviour for almost four years – including making threats and derogatory comments on social media.
He was also charged with attempting to rape the woman on October 21, 2021, and allegedly assaulted her between December 12, 2021, and December 31, 2021.
The CPS has dropped all charges against Greenwood
Statement from the Crown Prosecution Service
This afternoon a CPS spokesperson said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
“In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
“In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.
“We have explained our decision to all parties.
“We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
Mason Greenwood has charges dropped by CPS
MASON Greenwood has had all charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control against him dropped.
The Manchester United striker, 21, was first arrested in January last year after police swooped on his mansion.
Greenwood was due to stand trial in November accused of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
The Crown Prosecution today confirmed they had dropped all charges against him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
