Gerrard denies losing control

Last updated : 24 July 2009 By Adam Bryant
"I certainly knew I had had a drink," he said in court. "I was certainly in control of how I felt in my surroundings."

He then went on to explain the events leading up to the scuffle.

"I asked Sabrina for permission to have an input into the music and she gave me permission to go over to the machine and have a look at the menu," he said.

"It was a small A4-sized piece of paper covered in a plastic cover with numerous songs and then you speak to a member of staff if you want anything on. I looked for the music card and picked it up.

"I was looking at the music card for a couple of seconds for my songs and it was snatched out of my hands by a guy I didn't know at that time but I now know to be Marcus McGee. That's when I first spoke to Marcus McGee.

"He said to me 'You are not putting no fucking music on in here'. I was shocked and tried to speak to him and asked him what his problem was. I asked why I couldn't have an input in the music and tried to explain that I had permission from the manageress.

"He turned away from me and wasn't really listening to what I was trying to say and he swore at me a couple of times and we had an argument for four or five seconds and then he walked away."

The trial at Liverpool Crown Court continues.

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