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Gerrard denies 'losing control' Gerrard 'in control' before brawl
(40 minutes later)
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told a court he did not lose control on the night he punched a businessman in a bar on Merseyside. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told a court he "was certainly in control" on the night he punched a businessman in a bar on Merseyside.
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. The England midfielder explained to Liverpool Crown Court that he was used to people bothering him and had ways of smoothing over trouble when confronted.
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 29-year-old 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. The jury has heard the footballer estimated he was seven out of 10 on a drunkenness scale.
'Lot of mither''Lot of mither'
"I certainly knew I had had a drink," Mr Gerrard told the court."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.""I was certainly in control of how I felt in my surroundings."
Mr Gerrard's barrister, John Kelsey-Fry QC, said he had been in trouble with the police before - when he was 19 he was banned from driving for nine months for drink-driving. Mr Gerrard's barrister, John Kelsey-Fry QC, said his client had been in trouble with the police before - when he was 19 he was banned from the roads for nine months for driving while drunk.
Mr Gerrard said he had not been in trouble with the police since then, or involved in any other violent incident. Mr Gerrard said he had not been in trouble with the police since, or been involved in any other violent incident.
Mr Gerrard was with a group of friends at the Lounge Inn It was very difficult at the time to explain to police why I did throw that first punch Steven Gerrard
He said he suffered "a lot of mither", not just in bars, but at traffic lights, shopping centres and in restaurants. He said he suffered "a lot of mither", not just in bars, but at traffic lights, shopping centres and in restaurants, because he was a footballer.
"For example, because I am a footballer, sometimes I get supporters coming up to me, be they Liverpool fans or Everton or Manchester United fans, and sometimes the comments can be derogatory or insulting. "So I try to deal with it in the best way I can," he told the court.
"So I try to deal with it in the best way I can.
"I try to talk to them and smooth it over.""I try to talk to them and smooth it over."
Mr Gerrard said he was given permission by the club manageress to choose music from a stereo Mr McGee was operating.
He said he was looking at the music card, but it was "snatched" from his hand by 34-year-old Mr McGee.
Mr Gerrard said the pair had an argument four or five seconds and then he walked away, but returned a few minutes later.
Heated discussion
"I couldn't understand why the guy had such a problem with me, why he was so aggressive," Mr Gerrard said.
"Very quickly he came off the bar stool and was in my face right by me."
Mr Gerrard said it was a heated discussion with Mr McGee and added that he wanted to "smooth things over".
Mr Gerrard was with a group of friends at the Lounge Inn
Mr Gerrard said he hit Mr McGee to defend himself.
"It was very difficult at the time to explain to police why I did throw that first punch.
"We were arguing and I told the police I felt that Marcus came towards me and that's why I raised my arms.
"I firmly believed Marcus came towards me to hit me."
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.The trial continues.