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Gerrard cleared after bar brawl Gerrard cleared after bar brawl
(10 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 the 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.
Speaking after the hearing, the player said he had put it behind him and was looking forward to the season ahead.
Six friends of the 29-year-old footballer, of Formby, admitted charges connected with the brawl.Six friends of the 29-year-old footballer, of Formby, admitted charges connected with the brawl.
Members of the jury took just over 70 minutes to find the Reds' captain not guilty.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." 'Violent elbowing'
Football songs 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.
"You did not start the violence, it was started by the violent elbowing of Marcus McGee in the face by one of your friends John Doran," he added.
Trouble flared at the club in a row over music Celebration that ended in brawl Steven Gerrard profile
"At all times you insisted that you only ever acted in what you believed was reasonable self-defence to what you understandably, albeit you accept mistakenly, believed was an attempted attack upon you by Marcus McGee.
"What at first sight to the casual observer may seem to have been a clear-cut case against you of unlawful violence, has been nowhere near as clear-cut upon careful analysis of the evidence."
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.
The row started over music being played in the bar But the trouble flared at around 0200 GMT when Mr Gerrard wanted to change the music on the CD player, but was refused access by the man holding the control, Marcus McGee.
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. Pulled away
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.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.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".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.