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Gerrard 'sorry' over fight in bar Gerrard 'sorry' over fight in bar
(20 minutes later)
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told a court he is "sorry" about a fight in which he punched a man in a Merseyside bar.Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told a court he is "sorry" about a fight in which he punched a man in a Merseyside bar.
The England midfielder has admitted hitting Marcus McGee, 34, in the Lounge Inn, Southport, in December last year but said he was defending himself.The England midfielder has admitted hitting Marcus McGee, 34, in the Lounge Inn, Southport, in December last year but said he was defending himself.
But Mr Gerrard added: "I am certainly mistaken in thinking he was coming towards me to throw punches at me."But Mr Gerrard added: "I am certainly mistaken in thinking he was coming towards me to throw punches at me."
The 29-year-old footballer, of Formby, Merseyside, denies affray.The 29-year-old footballer, of Formby, Merseyside, denies affray.
Mr Gerrard was drinking 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 drinking 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.
"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."
It was very difficult at the time to explain to police why I did throw that first punch Steven GerrardIt 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, because he was a footballer.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.
"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," he told the court.
"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.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 Mr McGee.He said he was looking at the music card, but it was "snatched" from his hand by 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.Mr Gerrard said the pair had an argument four or five seconds and then he walked away, but returned a few minutes later.
Heated discussionHeated discussion
The footballer said it was a heated discussion with Mr McGee and added that he wanted to "smooth things over".The footballer said it was a heated discussion with Mr McGee and added that he wanted to "smooth things over".
Mr Gerrard said he hit Mr McGee to defend himself.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."It was very difficult at the time to explain to police why I did throw that first punch.
Now I know, obviously, he had been struck, reacted and thought the strike was by me Steven Gerrard
"We were arguing and I told the police I felt that Marcus came towards me and that's why I raised my arms."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.""I firmly believed Marcus came towards me to hit me."
Mr Gerrard described raising his left arm and swinging it towards Mr McGee and making contact with him with his wrist.Mr Gerrard described raising his left arm and swinging it towards Mr McGee and making contact with him with his wrist.
He said: "I grabbed the back of his jumper as he moved forward to me.He said: "I grabbed the back of his jumper as he moved forward to me.
"When I had hold of Marcus, I remember swinging my right hand two or three times.""When I had hold of Marcus, I remember swinging my right hand two or three times."
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CCTV of Gerrard incident released
In Mr McGee's evidence he said he did not know that John Doran, a friend of Mr Gerrard, threw the first punch.In Mr McGee's evidence he said he did not know that John Doran, a friend of Mr Gerrard, threw the first punch.
Mr Gerrard reiterated that he was unaware that Doran, 29, had lashed out and therefore, when Mr McGee came forward at him, he thought he was in danger.Mr Gerrard reiterated that he was unaware that Doran, 29, had lashed out and therefore, when Mr McGee came forward at him, he thought he was in danger.
Asked how he felt now, Gerrard said: "I am certainly mistaken in thinking he was coming towards me to throw punches at me.Asked how he felt now, Gerrard said: "I am certainly mistaken in thinking he was coming towards me to throw punches at me.
"Now I know, obviously, he had been struck, reacted and thought the strike was by me and he came into me and that's when I reacted."Now I know, obviously, he had been struck, reacted and thought the strike was by me and he came into me and that's when I reacted.
"I am sorry about the whole incident.""I am sorry about the whole incident."
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CCTV of Gerrard incident released
Doran, of Woodlands Road, Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton, have all admitted affray.Doran, 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.