by aCe' » Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:47 am
Steven Gerrard charged with assault and affray after alleged brawl
Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool and England footballer, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray, police have said, after an argument over music being played in a restaurant allegedly escalated into a violent brawl.
By Gordon Rayner, Paul Stokes and Murray Wardrop
Last Updated: 2:53AM GMT 30 Dec 2008
Gerrard, 28, was charged early on Tuesday morning over the alleged fracas in which Marcus McGee, a company director, lost a tooth and needed four stitches to a head wound.
He was released from custody at Southport police station almost two hours earlier after police interviewed him and the other five men, aged between 18 and 33 - none of whom are team-mates of Gerrard - for most of the day.
Meryside police said Gerrard and two other men were charged with ABH and affray.
The other three have been bailed pending further inquiries.
Inspector Swan, spokesman for Merseyside Police, said in a statement: "Merseyside Police have charged Steven Gerrard, 28, of Formby, John Doran, 29, Ian Smith , 19, both of Huyton with Assault causing Actual Bodily Harm and affray following an incident in Bold Street, Southport.
"All three men will appear at North Sefton magistrates on Jan 23rd.
"Three other men who were interviewed over the same incident have been bailed.
"They were released earlier tonight."
The charges, under section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act, carry up to five years in jail.
Wearing a white t-shirt and smart black trousers, Gerrard attempted to cover his face with his hands before being driven away in a black Citroen Xsara people carrier, believed to be driven by his father.
The Liverpool captain had been celebrating Sunday's 5-1 win over Newcastle United, in which he scored twice, when a row is said to have broken out involving Mr McGee about the music being played at The Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside.
Gerrard is understood to have asked Mr McGee, a friend of the restaurant's owner, if he could borrow a swipe card which staff must use to operate the music system behind the bar.
Mr McGee is said to have refused to provide his card.
Mr McGee, 34, a father of two, also suffered cuts to his face and a swollen eye.