A MAN is to stand trial again for allegedly 'trolling' a Manchester City coach and threatening to get him sacked.

Following a three-day trial at Bolton Crown Court a jury of six men and six women were unable to reach a verdict and decide whether 40-year-old Christopher Banks is guilty of sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety or not.

Recorder Simon Hilton discharged the jury and, after Adam Watkins, prosecuting, told the court that the Crown Prosecution Service are continuing with the case, a retrial was listed to take place on June 5 next year.

In the meantime Banks, of Garstang Avenue, Bolton, was granted bail on condition that he does not contact his alleged victim, Konstantinos Milopoulos.

Mr Milopoulos, who has worked as football coach for Manchester City for 11 years, is the former partner of Banks' girlfriend, Jodie Harrison.

Banks sent an anonymous email to Mr Milopoulos making allegations of domestic abuse and the coach was suspended from work for several months while an investigation, which cleared him of wrongdoing, took place.

Banks admitted sending the email but claimed he did so due to safeguarding concerns and denied that it was threatening or designed to cause distress or anxiety.