Driving offence against footballer dropped

A professional footballer who was accused of being in charge of a motor vehicle when over the prescribed limit for alcohol will face no further action.

Jamie Shackleton, who plays for Sheffield United, had denied the charge when he appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court on 15 January.

The 25-year-old was due to face trial for the alleged offence at the Fairburn Ings nature reserve in Castleford, but the case against him has now been discontinued.

According to a Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson, "key evidential difficulties meant there was not a realistic prospect of conviction".

At an earlier hearing Mr Shackleton's barrister Ben Whittingham had said his client disputed being "in charge" of the vehicle.

Shackleton, of Ledston near Castleford, made 13 appearances for Sheffield United last season after joining the club from Leeds United in July 2024.

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