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John Terry acquittal – magistrate's summing-up John Terry acquittal – magistrate's summing-up
(40 minutes later)
The following is the summing-up by the chief magistrate Howard Riddle at Westminster Magistrates' Court as he found John Terry not guilty on Friday of racially abusing the Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand last October. The following is the summing-up by the chief magistrate Howard Riddle at Westminster magistrates court as he found John Terry not guilty on Friday of racially abusing the Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand last October.
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"There is no doubt that John Terry uttered the words 'fucking black cunt' at Anton Ferdinand."There is no doubt that John Terry uttered the words 'fucking black cunt' at Anton Ferdinand.
"When he did so he was angry. Mr Ferdinand says that he did not precipitate this comment by himself, accusing Mr Terry of calling him a black cunt."When he did so he was angry. Mr Ferdinand says that he did not precipitate this comment by himself, accusing Mr Terry of calling him a black cunt.
"Even with all the help the court has received from television footage, expert lip readers, witnesses and indeed counsel, it is impossible to be sure exactly what were the words spoken by Mr Terry at the relevant time."Even with all the help the court has received from television footage, expert lip readers, witnesses and indeed counsel, it is impossible to be sure exactly what were the words spoken by Mr Terry at the relevant time.
"It is impossible to be sure exactly what was said to him at the relevant time by Mr Ferdinand."It is impossible to be sure exactly what was said to him at the relevant time by Mr Ferdinand.
"It is not only that all of this happened in a matter of seconds."It is not only that all of this happened in a matter of seconds.
"For a small part of the relevant time the camera's view of Mr Terry was obstructed."For a small part of the relevant time the camera's view of Mr Terry was obstructed.
"We do not have a clear camera view of Mr Ferdinand, sufficient to pick up exactly what he said."We do not have a clear camera view of Mr Ferdinand, sufficient to pick up exactly what he said.
"No matter how serious the incident looks now, and how crucial the exact wording is now, at the time it was secondary to the key witnesses."No matter how serious the incident looks now, and how crucial the exact wording is now, at the time it was secondary to the key witnesses.
"They are professional footballers in the final minutes of a game where the result mattered to them both."They are professional footballers in the final minutes of a game where the result mattered to them both.
"They would naturally concentrate on the game more than on exactly what had been said to them or by them."They would naturally concentrate on the game more than on exactly what had been said to them or by them.
"There was the noise of the crowd. There is the fact that towards the end of a game players are not only physically tired they are also mentally tired. I don't need evidence to tell me that."There was the noise of the crowd. There is the fact that towards the end of a game players are not only physically tired they are also mentally tired. I don't need evidence to tell me that.
"It is a crucial fact that nobody has given evidence that they heard what Mr Terry said or more importantly how he said it."It is a crucial fact that nobody has given evidence that they heard what Mr Terry said or more importantly how he said it.
"He has given effectively the same account throughout. Insofar as there are discrepancies in his account, they are understandable and natural."He has given effectively the same account throughout. Insofar as there are discrepancies in his account, they are understandable and natural.
"He says that he was himself wrongly accused by Mr Ferdinand on the pitch of calling him a black cunt."He says that he was himself wrongly accused by Mr Ferdinand on the pitch of calling him a black cunt.
"He has maintained that from the beginning."He has maintained that from the beginning.
"(Terry's team mate) Mr Ashley Cole has corroborated that it was mentioned to him during the game. "[Terry's team mate] Mr Ashley Cole has corroborated that it was mentioned to him during the game.
"There is no doubt that reasonably soon after the game he made the accusation to Mr Ferdinand. He confirmed that basic account in a statement on the evening of the match."There is no doubt that reasonably soon after the game he made the accusation to Mr Ferdinand. He confirmed that basic account in a statement on the evening of the match.
"He gave a very detailed account to the FA and later to the police. He gave evidence to that effect in this court."He gave a very detailed account to the FA and later to the police. He gave evidence to that effect in this court.
"There have been minor discrepancies in the account."There have been minor discrepancies in the account.
"It seems likely that his belief that he was wrongly accused on the pitch has strengthened as time goes by, and I have discussed that above."It seems likely that his belief that he was wrongly accused on the pitch has strengthened as time goes by, and I have discussed that above.
"However, his account has been subject to the most searching and thorough questioning on at least three occasions."However, his account has been subject to the most searching and thorough questioning on at least three occasions.
"Nobody has been able to show that he is lying. The lip readers do not provide evidence that categorically contradicts his account."Nobody has been able to show that he is lying. The lip readers do not provide evidence that categorically contradicts his account.
"What may at first sight have seemed clear to the non-expert, is less clear now."What may at first sight have seemed clear to the non-expert, is less clear now.
"There are limitations to lip reading, even by an expert. I have assessed John Terry as a credible witness."There are limitations to lip reading, even by an expert. I have assessed John Terry as a credible witness.
"Weighing all the evidence together, I think it is highly unlikely that Mr Ferdinand accused Mr Terry on the pitch of calling him a black cunt."Weighing all the evidence together, I think it is highly unlikely that Mr Ferdinand accused Mr Terry on the pitch of calling him a black cunt.
"However, I accept that it is possible that Mr Terry believed at the time, and believes now, that such an accusation was made."However, I accept that it is possible that Mr Terry believed at the time, and believes now, that such an accusation was made.
"The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong."The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong.
"Mr Cole gives corroborating (although far from compelling corroborating) evidence on this point. "Mr Cole gives corroborating [although far from compelling corroborating] evidence on this point.
"It is therefore possible that what he said was not intended as an insult, but rather as a challenge to what he believed had been said to him."It is therefore possible that what he said was not intended as an insult, but rather as a challenge to what he believed had been said to him.
"In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty.""In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty."