By Charlotte Webster-
Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood (pictured) has been remanded into custody after appearing in court charged with attempted rape.
The 21-year-old was also charged with assault and repeatedly engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, after being arrested in January amid allegations surrounding images and videos that emerged online.
The forward player from Greater Manchester, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Greenwood arrived at court in a prison van after spending two nights in a police cell following the decision to charge him on Saturday night.
His barrister, David Toal, asked the district judge to allow Greenwood to be released on bail, but the judge declined the request and remanding the footballer in custody until his next court appearance in five weeks’ time.
Greenwood looked at his family from the dock before he was taken down the steps to the court cells. Greenwood’s family sat in the public gallery of the small court alongside members of the press for the hearing.
He is next due to appear at Manchester Minshull Street crown court on 21 November. The defendant’s legal team told reporters they would be submitting a further bail application.
Rebecca Macaulay-Addison, prosecuting, told the court 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 also 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 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.
Proceedings at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court were then adjourned by District Judge Mark Hadfield, who later made the decision to remand Mr Greenwood in custody.
His next court appearance was scheduled for 21 November at Manchester Crown Court.
Court artist sketch of Mason Greenwood appearing in the magistrates court. Photograph: Elizabeth Cook/PA
Mr Greenwood had been on bail since January, but was re-arrested in Trafford on Saturday for an alleged breach of the conditions.
His case first came to public attention after his girlfriend at the time published a post on social media suggesting he had sexually assaulted her.
Wearing a grey hooded Nike jumper and grey jogging bottoms, he was flanked by two officers.
His family sat in a full public gallery in the small courtroom, along with members of the press.
The attempted rape is alleged to have taken place in October 2021.
The controlling and coercive behaviour relates to a period between November 2018 and October 2022, where he is alleged to have made threatening and derogatory comments towards the complainant, as well as accessing and monitoring her social media accounts.
The charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm is said to have taken place in December 2021.
Within hours of the allegations surfacing online at the beginning of the year, the forward, who has made one appearance for England, was suspended from playing or training with the Old Trafford club.
Janet Potter, a 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 proceedings.”
Greenwood, once considered one of the most talented English forwards of his generation, has not played or trained with Manchester United since his arrest 10 months ago. Nike ended its sponsorship deal with him and Electronic Arts removed him from active squads on its Fifa 22 game.
Manchester United said: “Manchester United notes that criminal charges have been brought against Mason Greenwood by the Crown Prosecution Service. He remains suspended by the club, pending the outcome of the judicial process.”