Evidence presented in court shows Liverpool captain’s darker side
While his colleagues spread the word of Liverpool FC across Asia, Steven Gerrard MBE this week finds himself in Liverpool crown court, defending a charge of affray that he earned on a marvellous night of drinking and punching in Merseyside last December.
Celebrating a 5-1 victory that would later help Newcastle find a new division, the Liverpool captain went to a restaurant/ disco in Southport, where he entered into a row with 34-year-old ‘businessman’ Marcus McGee. The court heard that Mr McGee was in charge of the playlist at a staff party at the venue, but Stevie G demanded some input into the choice of music. When McGee refused to surrender control of the CD player, he became the man “who has said ‘No’ to Steven Gerrard”.
A fracas ensued, and The Guardian pick up the story from where the CCTV footage moves to the bar area:
The prosecution say that six minutes later, he returned to the bar, approached McGee who was sitting alone at the bar and confronted him with the words: “Who the fuck do you think you are?”"Steven Gerrard had clearly lost his cool - he was very angry with Marcus McGee.”
One of Gerrard’s friends. John Doran, pushed McGee away and elbowed him in the face. The prosecution claims Gerrard then “totally lost it”.
“Almost immediately after the blow from John Doran, in fact within seconds, Steven Gerrard joined in the attack with a succession of well-aimed uppercut punches, delivered with the style and speed of a professional boxer, rather than professional footballer.”
Ian Smith, another member of Gerrard’s party, joined in. Doran and Smith then kicked McGee.
Even though Gerrard delivered the first blow, his counsel are arguing that the attack on McGee was in ’self defence’. The prosecution have asserted that “This was never self-defence in 100 years.”
Gerrard’s do-defendants have all pleaded guilty, meaning the family man is fighting the charge alone.
The trial continues, and is expected to last around a week.
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