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| Roy Keane found not guilty of harassing a taxi driver in Altrincham | Roy Keane found not guilty of harassing a taxi driver in Altrincham |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former Manchester United star Roy Keane has been cleared of harassing a taxi driver. | |
| Manchester Magistrates' Court heard he was accused of making a two-finger gesture and shouting aggressively at Fateh Kerar in Altrincham in January. | Manchester Magistrates' Court heard he was accused of making a two-finger gesture and shouting aggressively at Fateh Kerar in Altrincham in January. |
| The 43-year-old was alleged to have "stared aggressively" at Mr Kerar after the driver did a "smile" gesture. | The 43-year-old was alleged to have "stared aggressively" at Mr Kerar after the driver did a "smile" gesture. |
| Mr Keane was found not guilty of the public order offence, with the judge hinting Mr Kerar was a "thwarted fan". | Mr Keane was found not guilty of the public order offence, with the judge hinting Mr Kerar was a "thwarted fan". |
| The Republic of Ireland assistant manager gave evidence from the witness box during the half-day trial. | The Republic of Ireland assistant manager gave evidence from the witness box during the half-day trial. |
| Mr Keane's lawyer described the incident as a "storm in a tea cup". | Mr Keane's lawyer described the incident as a "storm in a tea cup". |
| Football fan Mr Kerar, 44, claimed Mr Keane gave him "bad looks" and later followed him in his car before making the two-finger gesture. | Football fan Mr Kerar, 44, claimed Mr Keane gave him "bad looks" and later followed him in his car before making the two-finger gesture. |
| He told the court Mr Keane then got out of his black Land Rover and approached the cab swearing at him. | He told the court Mr Keane then got out of his black Land Rover and approached the cab swearing at him. |
| 'Smirking gesture' | 'Smirking gesture' |
| The former Ipswich and Sunderland manager said he was "chilling out, relaxing" in his car waiting for his wife when he noticed Mr Kerar across the road in his taxi. | The former Ipswich and Sunderland manager said he was "chilling out, relaxing" in his car waiting for his wife when he noticed Mr Kerar across the road in his taxi. |
| Mr Keane said they nodded to acknowledge each other, but as they both moved off in their cars the cabbie made a "smirking gesture" by pushing the corners of his mouth up with his fingers. | Mr Keane said they nodded to acknowledge each other, but as they both moved off in their cars the cabbie made a "smirking gesture" by pushing the corners of his mouth up with his fingers. |
| At a junction, Mr Keane said he asked the driver "what's his problem.. two or three times". | At a junction, Mr Keane said he asked the driver "what's his problem.. two or three times". |
| "He said something like, 'You need to cheer up' along them lines," Mr Keane said. | "He said something like, 'You need to cheer up' along them lines," Mr Keane said. |
| He admitted swearing at him once, but denied "repeatedly" swearing and said he did not earlier make a two-finger gesture. | He admitted swearing at him once, but denied "repeatedly" swearing and said he did not earlier make a two-finger gesture. |
| Dismissing the case against Mr Keane, District Judge Duncan Birrell said: "The burden of proof is on the prosecution. | Dismissing the case against Mr Keane, District Judge Duncan Birrell said: "The burden of proof is on the prosecution. |
| "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." | "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 added the evidence was "riddled with inconsistencies and improbabilities". | He added the evidence was "riddled with inconsistencies and improbabilities". |
| A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: "Upon receipt of a file from the police, we re-reviewed the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and decided that there was a realistic prospect of conviction and the case proceeded to a trial. | |
| "The evidence was heard in full before the District Judge who reached the decision to acquit the defendant of the charge." | |