An assault charge against Steven Gerrard has
been dropped but he will still face a Crown Court
hearing.
One of the charges against the England star has been dropped,
but the Liverpool captain still faces a charge of affray following
a bar room brawl.
Businessman Marcus McGee, aged 34, lost a tooth and suffered a
cut face in the fight in Southport, Merseyside.
Gerrard, aged 28, who appeared at North Sefton Magistrates'
Court on Friday morning, had been in the bar in the early hours of
29th December celebrating Liverpool's 5-1 defeat of Newcastle.
Nick Evans, prosecuting, told the court that after a "review of
the evidence in full" it was decided that all seven defendants
should only face affray charges.
He said assault charges were also dropped against John Doran,
29, of Woodlands Road, and Ian Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, both
Huyton, Merseyside.
Appearing alongside Gerrard were two Accrington Stanley players
- goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport, and
midfielder Robert Grant, 18, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland.
Also in the dock were John McGrattan, 33, of Rimmer Avenue, and
Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, both Huyton.
Chairman of the bench Dr Pamela James committed the case to
Liverpool Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on 3
April.
No formal pleas have yet been made.