Source: Telegraph
Steven Gerrard escapes assault charge over bar room brawl
But the Liverpool captain still faces a charge of affray for the incident, which took place in December last year. [LNB]Businessman Marcus McGee, 34, allegedly lost a tooth and suffered a cut face in the fight at the Lounge Inn nightclub in Southport, Merseyside. [LNB] Related ArticlesLiverpool captain Steven Gerrard to deny assault in 'nightclub brawl'[LNB]Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to deny assault during 'nightclub brawl'[LNB]Steven Gerrard back in training with Liverpool[LNB]Steven Gerrard arrives at court to face charges over 'nightclub brawl'[LNB]Steven Gerrard bar brawl: Accrington Stanley goalkeeper is arrested[LNB]Gerrard, 28, who appeared at North Sefton Magistrates' Court, had been in the bar in the early hours of December 29 celebrating Liverpool's 5-1 defeat of Newcastle United. [LNB]The midfielder had indicated at his last appearance that he would deny both affray and assault. [LNB]Nick Evans, prosecuting, told the court that after a "review of the evidence in full" it was decided that Gerrard and his six co-defendants should only face affray charges. [LNB]He said assault charges were also dropped against John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, and Ian Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, both Huyton, Merseyside. [LNB]Appearing alongside Gerrard were Accrington Stanley players - goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport, and midfielder Robert Grant, 18, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland. [LNB]Also in the dock were John McGrattan, 33, of Rimmer Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, both Huyton. [LNB]Wearing a charcoal grey suit and a dark blue tie, Gerrard shook hands with his co-accused and stood chatting with them for 15 minutes before the case began. After the brief hearing he left court to be ferried away by a driver. [LNB]Chairman of the bench Dr Pamela James committed the case to Liverpool Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on 3 April. [LNB][LNB]
