Steven Gerrard: court hears from Marcus McGee

by Paul Gorst. Published Wed 22 Jul 2009 11:32
Steven Gerrard arriving at court
Steven Gerrard arriving at court

A court has heard from the man who claims Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard assaulted him in a bar room brawl.

The jury of had already heard claims that Gerrard, 29, hit Marcus McGee with three uppercuts in "the style and speed of a boxer" after a dispute over a choice of music.

Businessman Mr McGee, 34, says he was assaulted by the England midfielder when he refused to hand over control of a CD player at the Lounge Inn, Southport.

The Reds star was celebrating his team's 5-1 Premier League win over Newcastle United at the bar in Lord Street, Southport, on 29th December 2008 when a fracas happened.

According to the prosecution the soccer star "lost his cool" when the Mr Mc Gee refused the request.

Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside, denies affray and claims he acted in self defence.

On day three of the trial at Liverpool Crown Court Mr McGee entered the witness box dress in a dark suit to give evidence under oath.

Mr David Turner QC asked him: "Do you live in the Southport area?". Mr McGee answered "Yes".

Mr Turner asked: "Do you socialise in the Southport area?" and again the answer was "Yes".

Asked to explain what he was doing in the night in question softly spoken Mr McGee said: "I had been out drinking at a friend's Christmas party."

Mr Turner asked whether he was drunk and Mr McGee replied "No."

Asked whether he knew the Lounge Inn well Mr McGee said: "A friend of my girlfriend, Gina Lond, runs the Lounge Inn which I entered at about 12.30 I joined-in a friend's birthday party."

Asked how the music was provided he replied: "Via a CD player. There was a list of CDs with names and numbers on them."

Earlier Mr Turner had told the court that Gerrard "let himself down" by joining-in an attack launched against Mr McGee when he refused to hand over a CD remote control.

Mr Turner had told the jurors: "Mr Gerrard is not normally known for arrogance but on that night he just lost his rag.

"Mr Gerrard hit with the speed and skill of a professional boxer. On that night he let his fists and not his feet do the talking.

"When interviewed Steven Gerrard agreed there was an argument but said it was Marcus McGee who had the problem.

"Never in one hundred years was this self-defence. He acted like a professional boxer and not a professional footballer."

CCTV footage shown to the court showed Gerrard and others dancing and singing and joining-in what appeared to be football chants.

A second phase of the footage showed Gerrard returning from a toilet area and approaching the bar.

He was then seen standing by the bar in conversation then a confrontation with with Marcus McGee in an exchange that lasted for around a minute.

Then another man, identified as John Doran, came into the frame and his elbow is seen to strike Mr McGee in the face.

Steven Gerrard is then seen to throw what appear to be three uppercut punches in the direction of Mr McGee.

Within seconds other defendants joining the fracas and and a ruck ensues in which punches are first thrown and Mr McGee falls to the floor.

According to Mr Turner Ian Smith joined the attack and kicked Mr McGee as he lay on the floor.

Mr Turner said that it was at this stage the Gerrard's involvement ended as he was pulled away

Five other defendants have admitted affray and one admitted a lesser charge of section using threatening behaviour.

Those who admitted affray were: Ian Gerrard Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue; John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road; and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, all Huyton.

Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, of Enstsone Avenue, Litherland, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport, also admitted affray.

John McGrattan, 34, of Rimmer Avenue, Huyton, admitted threatening behaviour after denying affray.

Proceeding.





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