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Gerrard denies 'losing control' Gerrard denies 'losing control'
(30 minutes later)
Footballer Steven Gerrard has denied that he lost control on the night he punched a businessman in a bar on Merseyside. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has denied losing control on the night he punched a businessman in a bar on Merseyside.
The England player told Liverpool Crown Court that he was used to people bothering him and had ways of smoothing over trouble when confronted by people. The England player told Liverpool Crown Court he was used to people bothering him and had ways of smoothing over trouble when confronted by people.
Mr Gerrard has admitted punching Marcus McGee in the Lounge Inn, Southport, but said he was defending himself.Mr Gerrard has admitted punching Marcus McGee in the Lounge Inn, Southport, but said he was defending himself.
The footballer, of Formby, Merseyside, denies affray.The footballer, of Formby, Merseyside, denies affray.
Mr Gerrard was in the Lounge Inn in Southport with friends in the early hours of 29 December last year to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United.Mr Gerrard was in the Lounge Inn in Southport with friends in the early hours of 29 December last year to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United.
The jury has heard the 29-year-old estimated he was seven out of 10 on a drunkenness scale.
"I certainly knew I had had a drink," Mr Gerrard told the court.
"I was certainly in control of how I felt in my surroundings."
John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton, have all admitted affray.John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton, have all admitted 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.