Steven Gerrard breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he left court yesterday after an assault charge against him was dropped.
But the Liverpool and England soccer hero - awarded an MBE last year - still faces a charge of affray following a late night bar room brawl.
Amid extraordinary security, with the public excluded and reporters subjected to FOUR separate identify checks, his case was committed to crown court by magistrates at Southport, Merseyside.
Wearing a smart charcoal grey suit, white shirt and black tie, 28-year-old Gerrard stood alongside six other defendants - also in suits. They spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses.
At a previous hearing, the Anfield skipper indicated he would be pleading not guilty. Three of the seven defendants were originally charged with assault as well as affray.
Prosecutor Nick Evans told presiding magistrate Dr Pamela James: "On assessment of the case, it is my colleagues' view that the most appropriate charge for all the defendants is affray."
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One of the accused, Paul McGrattan, 31, of Huyton, Merseyside, is separately accused of assaulting a police officer. His case was adjourned for three months. Ian Smith, 19, also from Huyton, faces a separate committal hearing on the affray charge later this month.
The charges follow an alleged incident at Southport's Lounge Inn nightclub on December 29, that left businessman Marcus McGee, 34, with a cut face and broken tooth.
Gerrard, from Formby, was driven to and from the court in a dark BMW saloon.
Also appearing with him were Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Southport, Robert Grant, 18, of Litherland, and John Doran, 29, and John McGrattan, 33, both of Huyton. All were bailed to appear at Liverpool crown court on April 3.
On assessment of the case, it is my colleagues' view that the most appropriate charge for all the defendants is affray
PROSECUTOR NICK EVANS
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