Mason Greenwood appears in court over attempted rape charge

The Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood has appeared in court on suspicion of attempted rape and other offences.

The 21-year-old appeared in court on Monday after being charged with attempted rape, assault and “repeatedly engaging” in coercive and controlling behaviour.

Greenwood arrived at Manchester and Salford magistrates court in a prison van after spending two nights in police custody.

He wore a grey hoodie, white T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms and gave his full name, date of birth and address before the district judge Mark Hadfield.

The footballer’s family sat in the public gallery of the small court alongside members of the press.

Rebecca Macaulay-Addison, prosecuting, told the court that Greenwood was accused of attempting to rape the complainant on 22 October 2021.

He is also charged with “repeatedly engaging” in coercive and controlling behaviour.

Greenwood is accused of monitoring the complainant’s social media accounts and “making threats and derogatory comments towards her, amounting to a serious effect upon her”, Macaulay-Addison said.

Greenwood faces a third count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in the month of December 2021.

Greenwood surrendered his passport to police as part of bail conditions at an earlier hearing, which include an order that he must not contact the complainant, her parents or her friends.

Janet Potter, the deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has a right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice those