The BBC report:
‘Charges have been dropped against three men accused of blackmailing Paul Stretford, the agent of England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.
‘The prosecution at Warrington Crown Court offered no more evidence against John Hyland, and brothers Christopher Bacon and Anthony Bacon.
‘John Hedgecoe, prosecuting, said Mr Stretford had misled the court. He said new documents revealed Mr Stretford poached Rooney in September 2002 not December as he told the court.
‘Mr Hedgecoe told the court two documents were disclosed over the weekend which showed Mr Stretford made false statements while giving his evidence last week.
‘Judge David Hale passed not guilty verdicts on Monday on all three men.’