This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/8162869.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Gerrard 'victim' tells of attack Gerrard 'victim' tells of attack
(19 minutes later)
The man allegedly attacked by England midfielder Steven Gerrard in a Merseyside bar has told a jury he faced a "barrage" of punches.The man allegedly attacked by England midfielder Steven Gerrard in a Merseyside bar has told a jury he faced a "barrage" of punches.
Marcus McGee, 34, told Liverpool Crown Court he was attacked after he refused to give Mr Gerrard control of a CD player in the Lounge Inn, Southport.Marcus McGee, 34, told Liverpool Crown Court he was attacked after he refused to give Mr Gerrard control of a CD player in the Lounge Inn, Southport.
Mr McGee, who was initially struck by Mr Gerrard's friend John Doran, said he thought the footballer hit him first.Mr McGee, who was initially struck by Mr Gerrard's friend John Doran, said he thought the footballer hit him first.
Mr Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside denies affray.Mr Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside denies affray.
Mr McGee lost a crown on a front tooth in the attack in the early hours of 29 December last year, the court heard. During the attack in the early hours of 29 December last year Mr McGee lost a crown on a front tooth, the court heard.
Mr Gerrard, who was in the club with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle Utd, is shown on CCTV walking away before he returns several minutes later.
Stereo controlStereo control
He said: "I remember a barrage of punches coming in at my face but I didn't know who has done what. Mr Gerrard, who was in the club with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United, is shown on CCTV walking away before he returns several minutes later.
Mr McGhee said: "I remember a barrage of punches coming in at my face but I didn't know who has done what.
Mr Gerrard was celebrating Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle
"Having watched the CCTV it was obvious Steven Gerrard hits me a couple of times, maybe three times, but I couldn't honestly say on the night."Having watched the CCTV it was obvious Steven Gerrard hits me a couple of times, maybe three times, but I couldn't honestly say on the night.
"I didn't know who did what.""I didn't know who did what."
Mr McGee said he was asked by the manager to be in charge of the music.Mr McGee said he was asked by the manager to be in charge of the music.
Watching the CCTV footage along with the jury, Mr McGee said he had thrown no punches and was in a "nondescript" mood.
Mr Gerrard was celebrating Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle
Being led through his evidence by prosecuting barrister David Turner QC, Mr McGee said Mr Gerrard had tried to grab a card from his hand which controlled the stereo.Being led through his evidence by prosecuting barrister David Turner QC, Mr McGee said Mr Gerrard had tried to grab a card from his hand which controlled the stereo.
He said: "Mr Gerrard came to me from my left hand side and requested he wanted control of the music. He said: "It was something to the effect of 'Here you are, lad, give me that'."
"It was something to the effect of 'Here you are, lad, give me that'."
He said he recognised Mr Gerrard, but did not give the card to him.He said he recognised Mr Gerrard, but did not give the card to him.
"It wasn't my permission to be giving it out to somebody else, it was my job so I didn't hand it over.
"He made a move to try to grab the card to take it away and I remember it slipped on the floor at one stage."He made a move to try to grab the card to take it away and I remember it slipped on the floor at one stage.
"He then walked away, that was the end of it.""He then walked away, that was the end of it."
'Rude' manner
The Liverpool captain then returned to Mr McGee a few minutes later.
"In my statement I didn't recall the conversation but looking at my hand movements I was asking him how he would react if somebody came up to him and wanted to take something off him in a manner I found to be rude," he said.
"I gave my statement in the 100 per cent firm belief it was Steven Gerrard who hit me first.
Mr Gerrard was with a group of friends at the Lounge Inn
"I was concentrating primarily on Steven because he was so close to me.
"The next thing I knew there was a bloke at the side of me.
"I gave that statement in good faith but changed it after watching the CCTV."
Mr McGee said he did not throw any punches and did not act aggressively.
Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton, admit affray.Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton, admit affray.
Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport, have also admitted affray.Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport, have also admitted affray.
John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, has admitted threatening behaviour after denying affray.John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, has admitted threatening behaviour after denying affray.
The trial continues.The trial continues.