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Ferdinand cleared of club assault Ferdinand cleared of club assault
(20 minutes later)
Premier League footballer Anton Ferdinand has been cleared of assaulting a man outside a nightclub.Premier League footballer Anton Ferdinand has been cleared of assaulting a man outside a nightclub.
The West Ham defender admitted punching Emile Walker but told Snaresbrook Crown Court it was in self-defence, as he feared he was about to be mugged.The West Ham defender admitted punching Emile Walker but told Snaresbrook Crown Court it was in self-defence, as he feared he was about to be mugged.
The incident took place outside the Faces nightclub in Ilford, east London, on 2 October last year.The incident took place outside the Faces nightclub in Ilford, east London, on 2 October last year.
Ferdinand, 22, denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of affray.Ferdinand, 22, denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of affray.
The player's friend, Edward Dawkins, 28, was also accused of a similar offence and was cleared by the jury.The player's friend, Edward Dawkins, 28, was also accused of a similar offence and was cleared by the jury.
You now leave without a stain on your character arising from it Judge William KennedyYou now leave without a stain on your character arising from it Judge William Kennedy
During the trial Mr Dawkins, of Henry Adlington Close, Beckton, east London said he was defending a friend.During the trial Mr Dawkins, of Henry Adlington Close, Beckton, east London said he was defending a friend.
Addressing the pair after the verdict, Judge William Kennedy said: "This was an unfortunate incident for you both which is now at an end.Addressing the pair after the verdict, Judge William Kennedy said: "This was an unfortunate incident for you both which is now at an end.
"You now leave without a stain on your character arising from it.""You now leave without a stain on your character arising from it."
The player's brother, England and Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand, watched the proceedings from the public gallery.
'Lurid headlines'
After the hearing a spokesman for Ferdinand, Jerome Anderson, said the trial was a "traumatic and distressing time" for the footballer's family and friends.
"For over a year Anton had to remain silent and read lurid headlines of wrongdoing. Finally he can give his own account in his own words," said Mr Anderson.
"Anton made a split second decision to help a friend when a happy evening suddenly went wrong. This is the sort of person you need as a friend if you face danger," he added.
The footballer admitted striking the first blow after Mr Walker, 22, "eyeballed" his £64,000 watch then threatened a friend, the court heard.The footballer admitted striking the first blow after Mr Walker, 22, "eyeballed" his £64,000 watch then threatened a friend, the court heard.
But the jury was told no sooner had he been dragged away than up to 10 other men punched the "would-be robber" to the ground and kicked him repeatedly.But the jury was told no sooner had he been dragged away than up to 10 other men punched the "would-be robber" to the ground and kicked him repeatedly.
The jury trying the player, from Mottingham, south-east London, took just 90 minutes to accept he was acting in self-defence.The jury trying the player, from Mottingham, south-east London, took just 90 minutes to accept he was acting in self-defence.
Jurors unanimously cleared him of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, and alternative common assault and public order offences.Jurors unanimously cleared him of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, and alternative common assault and public order offences.