Bendtner in clear after charges dropped

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — A court has dropped charges against Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner following his arrest on suspicion of damaging cars near the stadium of Premier League rival Newcastle.

Bendtner and Sunderland teammate Lee Cattermole were arrested on Dec. 6 for alleged criminal damage less than a kilometer from St. James' Park, but Newcastle Magistrates' Court says Monday the charges against the Denmark striker have been withdrawn.

Cattermole's case was adjourned until Mar. 26.

Bendtner, who didn't appear in court on Monday, is on loan at Sunderland from Arsenal and scored the winning goal in his team's 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the league on Saturday.