Roy Keane found not guilty of harassing a taxi driver in Altrincham
(about 1 hour later)
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane made a two-finger gesture and shouted aggressively at a taxi driver, a court has heard.
Former Manchester United star Roy Keane has been cleared of harassing a taxi driver in an alleged road rage row.
The 43-year-old is said to have "stared aggressively" after Fateh Kerar, 44, made a "smile" gesture and drove away.
Manchester Magistrates' Court heard he was accused of making a two-finger gesture and shouting aggressively at Fateh Kerar in Altrincham in January.
Magistrates in Manchester heard Mr Keane followed him, catching up with him near traffic lights in Ashley Road, Altrincham, on 30 January.
The 43-year-old was alleged to have "stared aggressively" at Mr Kerar after the driver did a "smile" gesture.
Mr Keane denies causing harassment, alarm or distress to Mr Kerar.
Mr Keane was found not guilty of the public order offence, with the judge hinting Mr Kerar was a "thwarted fan".
Mark Angus, opening the case for the prosecution, said the taxi driver had "gestured a smile with his hands" at the Republic of Ireland assistant manager, who he claimed had been "staring aggressively".
The Republic of Ireland assistant manager gave evidence from the witness box during the half day trial.
'I was shaking'
Mr Keane's lawyer described the incident as a "storm in a tea cup".
Mr Kerar, giving evidence from behind a screen, told the court he had pulled over to allow his passenger to get cash.
Dismissing the case against Mr Keane, District Judge Duncan Birrell said: "The burden of proof is on the prosecution.
At this point he realised Mr Keane was sitting in his Range Rover across the road.
"It's my view, taking as I have said, a careful account of the evidence, that they have failed to discharge their burden, therefore I find you not guilty."
He said: "I looked at him, he looked at me. He kept staring at me in my face.
He added the evidence was "riddled with inconsistencies and improbabilities".
"He was looking at me very aggressively, saying something in his car. I couldn't hear him. He was giving me bad looks."
Mr Kerar said he made a wave gesture to him but Mr Keane made no response and continued to stare at him for between 10 and 15 seconds.
He said he set off to Altrincham railway station with his fare and Mr Keane followed him "straight away".
Rang the newspaper
He told the court Mr Keane "jumped from his car and he was swearing, aggressive. He was swearing, mad and he lost his temper."
He added that people were staring and he told Mr Keane, "just get back to your car".
"I heard him say, 'what's wrong with you?' in an Irish accent."
"I could see everybody looking at me. I stopped outside the station, I was shaking."
He told the court he then went to Altrincham police station.
Stuart Denney QC, representing Mr Keane, cross-examined the witness, questioning why, after going to the police, he next rang a newspaper.
Mr Kerar agreed that he spoke to a reporter but claimed he did not want to have his name in the papers.
Mr Denney asked: "Did you make that account as bad as you possibly could to maximise embarrassment to Mr Keane?"
The taxi driver replied: "I took the anger from my heart and I said it to the news."
Mr Denney questioned the witness's account, suggesting that, at the start of the episode, Mr Keane was simply sitting in his car, waiting for someone and staring into space, but Mr Kerar disagreed.
