Bendtner cleared over cars

Nicklas Bendtner: Sunderland striker cleared of vandalising cars in Newcastle

Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner has been cleared of vandalising cars parked near the home of arch rivals Newcastle United.

The prosecution withdrew the case against him after he was charged with five counts of criminal damage with Black Cats captain Lee Cattermole.

The Denmark international, on loan with the Wearside outfit from Arsenal for the season and who scored the only goal in the Black Cats' win over Liverpool on Saturday, was not at Newcastle Magistrates' Court for the hearing.

Cattermole was present, dressed in a grey suit and black shirt, and no pleas were entered to the five charges relating to £4,168.27 of damage caused to cars on December 6.

The cars were parked in Stowell Street in Newcastle's China Town - only a few hundred yards from St James' Park.

The case was adjourned at the request of the prosecution.

Cattermole, 23, who gave his address as Aislaby near Yarm, Teesside, was granted unconditional bail until 2pm on March 26 when the case will be heard again.