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Gerrard cleared after bar brawl Gerrard cleared after bar brawl
(20 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 the 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, was the only one of seven men to be cleared over the violence. Six friends of the 29-year-old footballer, of Formby, admitted charges connected with the brawl.
Members of the jury took just over one hour to clear the Reds captain. Members of the jury took just over 70 minutes to find the Reds' captain not guilty.
Judge Henry Globe told him: "The verdict is a credible verdict on the full facts of this case, and you walk away from this court with your reputation intact."
Football songs
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.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.CCTV footage from the bar showed the group drinking beer, downing shots and dancing round while chanting football songs.
Charges admitted The row started over music being played in the bar
But the trouble flared at around 0200 BST when the father-of-two wanted to change the music on the CD player. But the trouble flared at around 0200 BST when Mr Gerrard wanted to change the music on the CD player, but was refused access by the man holding the control, Marcus McGee.
He was refused access by the man holding the control, Marcus McGee, who lost a tooth and suffered facial cuts in the ensuing violence. Mr Gerrard told the court he had been trying to ask Mr McGee why he had a problem with him when the businessman "very quickly" got off his bar stool.
He said he "firmly believed" he was about to be punched, and swung out in self-defence.
Mr Gerrard was quickly pulled away by friends and told the court he was "sorry about the whole incident".
Five of Mr Gerrard's friends admitted affray.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.