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Gerrard cleared after bar brawl Gerrard cleared after bar brawl
(9 minutes later)
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been cleared of affray after punching a man in a Merseyside bar.Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been cleared of affray after punching a man in a Merseyside bar.
The England midfielder admitted hitting Marcus McGee, 34, in the Lounge Inn, Southport, in December last year but denied a charge of affray.The England midfielder admitted hitting Marcus McGee, 34, in the Lounge Inn, Southport, in December last year but denied a charge of affray.
A jury at Liverpool Crown Court agreed with Mr Gerrard's assertion that he was acting in self-defence.A jury at Liverpool Crown Court agreed with Mr Gerrard's assertion that he was acting in self-defence.
The 29-year-old footballer, of Formby, Merseyside, denied the charge. Five others admitted affray. The 29-year-old footballer, of Formby, Merseyside, was the only one of seven men to be cleared over the violence.
Mr Gerrard was drinking with friends in the early hours of 29 December last year to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United. Members of the jury took just over one hour to clear the Reds captain.
Five of his friends have already admitted affray. Mr Gerrard had been drinking with friends in the early hours of 29 December last year to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle United.
CCTV footage from the bar showed the group drinking beer, downing shots and dancing round while chanting football songs.
Charges admitted
But the trouble flared at around 0200 BST when the father-of-two wanted to change the music on the CD player.
He was refused access by the man holding the control, Marcus McGee, who lost a tooth and suffered facial cuts in the ensuing violence.
Five of Mr Gerrard's friends admitted affray.
They are Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue; John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road; and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton; and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland; and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport.They are Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue; John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road; and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton; and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland; and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport.
Another friend, John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, admitted threatening behaviour.Another friend, John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, admitted threatening behaviour.