UK News 23-08-2002 Sobbing Soccer Star Cleared Of Glass Attack who: Chelsea defender John Terry what: Cleared of charges following nightclub incident where: Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "The Chelsea footballer John Terry left court in tears yesterday," reports The Scotsman, "as he was cleared of striking a nightclub bouncer in the face with a bottle during a fight." At Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court, Terry had faced charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, unlawful wounding, possessing a bottle as an offensive weapon and affray following an incident outside the private members-only Wellington Club in Knightsbridge, west London in the early hours of January 4th. "The player, tipped as a future England international, bowed his head and sobbed into a handkerchief," says Steve Bird in The Times, "before hugging his team-mate and co-defendant Jody Morris, 23, at the back of court. Both were cleared of affray." Neither player will be involved in this evening`s first home Premiership game of the season against Manchester United, says The Independent`s Steve Tongue, who muses on the impact the court case might have had on their future and suggests that manager Claudio Ranieri`s patience may be wearing thin with British players whose lifestyle lacks the self-discipline of their Italian and Spanish counterparts. Their fellow defendant, undistinguished Wimbledon player Des Byrne, was also cleared of affray but fined £2,000 for possessing a bottle as an offensive weapon. [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!