AN ASSAULT charge against one of Lancashire’s top sportsmen, boxer Michael Jennings, has been dropped.

The 33-year-old former British welterweight champion had previously been charged with section 39 assault after an alleged incident at his Chorley home in April.

However, earlier this week, lawyers representing Jennings received a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service saying proceedings were being dropped due to lack of ‘sufficient evidence’.

Jennings, who has been a professional boxer for 12 years, said: “I fully expected this outcome as I’ve done nothing wrong.

“There’s been a lot of negative publicity for me and it shouldn’t have gone as far as it did.”

Stanley H Cross & Co solicitor David Edwards, a solicitor who represents Mr Jennings said his client had been ‘exonerated without any stain on his character’.

He added: “Following my representations to the CPS I received a notice of discontinuance from them on Monday.

“It’s been a difficult time for Michael. The decision clearly vindicates what Michael and I thought all along - that there was no substance to the allegation.

“Hopefully he’ll be able to get in the ring soon and continue to be a role model for youngsters.”

A CPS spokesman, said: “We have concluded that there is no longer sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction in court.

“We have informed the complainant, defence and court that we will not be proceeding.”

In March, Jennings was forced to pull out of a British title eliminator after he ruptured ligaments in a knuckle on his right hand.

He hopes to resume his boxing career in the autumn.

Jennings has a huge fan base in Chorley and across Lancashire and has lent his support to numerous charities in his hometown.

He is also a musician, performing as the drummer for indie/punk band The Shoks.