Bendtner cleared of vandalism

London - Sunderland and Denmark star Nicklas Bendtner was cleared of vandalising cars parked near the home of his team's arch rivals Newcastle United on Monday.

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

The Danish international striker, who is currently on a season-long loan with Sunderland from Arsenal 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, however, 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 the China Town district of Newcastle only a few hundred yards from Newcastle United's St James' Park stadium.

The case was adjourned at the request of the prosecution.

Cattermole, 23, was granted unconditional bail until March 26 when the case relating to him will be heard again.