England footballer Steven Gerrard was found not guilty of affray by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court today.
The trial heard that Gerrard was at the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside, on December 29 to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 demolition of Newcastle United hours earlier.
After hearing the verdict Gerrard said: "I'm pleased with today's verdict and glad to put it behind me.
"I'm looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on my football."
The Reds' captain, who scored twice in the game, was enjoying a night out with a party of friends including Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish, 58.
CCTV footage from the bar showed Gerrard and his friends drinking beer, downing shots and dancing round while chanting football songs.
But trouble flared at around 2am when the father-of-two wanted to change the music on the CD player.
Prosecutor David Turner QC told the jury of seven women and five men that Gerrard lost his cool after Mr McGee refused his request to change the music.
He said the millionaire footballer stormed off in a huff and then confronted Mr McGee at the bar seven minutes later, talking to him for 23 seconds before swinging three upper-cut punches at him.
However, Gerrard's version of events differed. The footballer, who denied affray, told the jury yesterday that he was "shocked" by Mr McGee's attitude.
He said the businessman told him: "You are not putting no f****** music on in here" and swore at him. Gerrard said they argued for a few seconds before he walked away. |
