Stewards cleared of assault

TWO Manchester United stewards accused of breaking a City fan’s shin and left heel have been cleared of pushing him down a stairwell.

Mark Roberts, of George Street, Shaw, and Paul Stringer, of Runcorn, were found not guilty of assaulting Peter Sweeney.

The pair were escorting methadone-addict Mr Sweeney (47) out of Old Trafford during the derby match in September last year.

They were alleged to have pushed Mr Sweeney — who had already been thrown out of the ground once — down eight stairs.

But they denied touching him and said that he had slipped.

A jury at Minshull Street Crown Court cleared them both of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. The jury was told that Mr Sweeney from Macclesfield had been ejected from the ground by Mr Stringer after he was caught smoking cannabis in the toilets before kick-off. He bought another ticket outside and went back into the ground where he was spotted by Mr Stringer who has also been a doorman for 23 years.

Mr Stringer contacted his supervisor Mr Roberts to help escort him out again.

Prosecutors said CCTV footage proved that Mr Sweeney had been pushed in the back.

But the stewards said that had “instinctively raised their hands” but made no contact.

The fan then fell down eight stairs and broke his right shin and left heel.

Mr Sweeney has taken his methadone prescription that day and had also been drinking.

Forensic pharmacology expert Prof Robin Ferner, who appeared for the defence, told the court that alcohol and drugs would significantly increase the risk of falling.

It took the jury around an hour to unanimously clear Mr Roberts and Mr Stringer.