Gerrard 'threw punches in attack'

Jul 22 2009

England and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard was in a "huff" before he attacked a man with a barrage of punches, a court has heard.

Gerrard, 29, who denies affray at Liverpool Crown Court, allegedly confronted Marcus McGee after he refused to give him control of a stereo at the Lounge Inn bar in Southport, Merseyside, last year.

On Wednesday, the court heard from barman Nathaniel Lockie who relived the attack and claimed Gerrard was in a "huff" after not getting his own way.

The Liverpool captain was drinking in the early hours of December 29 with a throng of friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 drubbing of Newcastle Utd.

Gerrard - who said he was seven out of 10 on a drunkenness scale - returned to confront businessman Mr McGee and threw three punches at him, he said. He said: "Gerrard grabbed the back of his jumper and pulled it over his head, pulled him down and started uppercutting him.

"While that happened I ran round to the other side of the bar trying to help and he (Gerrard) was dragged off into the restaurant."

Mr McGee, 34, said when he refused to hand over control of the music Gerrard asked him: "Who the f*** do you think you are?"

He said of the attack several minutes later: "I remember a barrage of punches coming in at my face but I didn't know who has done what.

"Having watched the CCTV it was obvious Steven Gerrard hit me a couple of times, maybe three times but I couldn't honestly say on the night. I didn't know who did what."

The first shot was actually thrown by Gerrard's friend John Doran, 29, of Huyton, Liverpool. He and four other men have admitted affray and threatening behaviour.