Vinnie assault charges dropped

Jones starred in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Theft and assault charges brought against footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones in South Africa have been dropped, police have said.

A 25-year-old man from Soweto had alleged he was assaulted by Jones and that his camera was stolen.

But the man, who claimed to be Jones' driver, has now withdrawn the allegations.

Allegation by three women that the Mean Machine star indecently assaulted them at a party in Cape Town are still being investigated.

The Directorate for Public Prosecution is awaiting witness statements before it decides whether to prosecute.

Jones, who is in South Africa working on the adventure movie Ultimatum, denies any suggestion of indecent assault.

Vinnie Jones had a hardman reputation in footballing circles

The allegations were made following a party at a house in Cape Town.

The three women said the star indecently assaulted one woman in a jacuzzi, tried to push a second under water and had sworn at a third.

Uncompromising

Jones' manager, Peter Burrell, said he denied all the allegations and said he would mount a vigorous defence.

Last year, Manchester United football Sir Alex Ferguson was also accused of indecent assault in Cape Town, but the allegations were dismissed by South African prosecutors.

Jones had a reputation as an uncompromising footballer during a 13-year career, playing for a number of clubs including Wimbledon and Chelsea.

He turned to acting at the end of his sporting career in 1998.

His first role was in Guy Ritchie's Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in 1998, where he played a taciturn criminal.

He then headed for Hollywood, appearing in the car caper Gone in 60 Seconds, and Swordfish alongside Halle Berry and John Travolta.