Thursday, January 01, 2009

Revealed: First Picture Of Man At Centre Of Steven Gerrard Assault Charge


This is the bruised face of the man at the centre of the night-club assault charge facing Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard.

Marcus McGee’s swollen right eye was clearly visible as he left his Merseyside home yesterday, the day after Gerrard and two other men were charged with assaulting him.

Mr. McGee emerged as LFC manager Rafael Benitez came out in strong support of his club captain and talisman, while Gerrard himself returned to training at Melwood.

Benitez said: “Steven is our captain and a key player for us, but more than this, I know him as a nice person.

“He explained to me what had happened and I told him he has my full support and backing, along with everyone else at the football club.”

Mr. McGee’s injuries were partially hidden by the grey beanie hat he wore yesterday to fend off the biting cold as he left his family home – a bungalow in Churchtown.

The 34-year-old, who lives with partner Gina Lord, 33, and their daughters Francesca, 12, and Helena, six, was acting as the DJ at The Lounge Inn, on Bold Street, when the alleged assault took place in the early hours of Monday.

Mr. McGee, who runs a double glazing repair company called Cloudy 2 Clear UK Ltd, lost a tooth and needed stitches to a head wound.

The melee is thought to have blown up after Mr. McGee was asked for access to the computer- controlled record selection system.

He is thought to have refused, triggering the brawl in which he was badly injured.

The following day, shards of glass and smears of blood were found on the floor of The Lounge Inn.

Gerrard, 28, along with two friends, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19, both from Huyton, is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray.

They were among a group of six held at Southport Police Station, on Albert Road, for close to 24 hours.

Now the trio are on police bail, awaiting their first appearance at North Sefton Magistrates’ Court, on January 23.

Fellow Kop legend Kenny Dalglish revealed in yesterday’s Daily Post that Gerrard had been chatting about doing some work for his wife, Marina’s, charity shortly before the incident.

No comments: