Celebrity And The Law

A pathetic “excuse” for Steven Gerrard being charged for assault occasioning actual bodily harm is to be found in today’s Independent.

“For Gerrard the football hero, there is also the additional pressure of being a magnet for attention whatever you do wherever you go, most of it benevolent if at times oppressive but, given the age we live in, inevitably in some cases malevolent or jealous or a combination of both. So what do you do? Live like a hermit in your mansion; call catering when you want to dine and wine – or take your chances wherever, and at whatever time, you want to go?

Gerrard chose to take the second course and now everybody knows the consequences, and this is before any legal attempt to apportion blame.”

What has any of this got to do with the offence for which Gerrard is charged?

“It is understood that the alleged victim, Marcus McGee, who was a DJ at the club, was sitting behind the bar when Gerrard asked him to change the music. He is then said to have asked for the music card that operates the sound system. Mr McGee apparently refused.

Gerrard and five other men aged between 18 and 33 were arrested after the row. The Liverpool player was released from custody early this morning.

….

Mr McGee, a father of two who is thought to be a supporter of Liverpool’s great rival, Manchester United, was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for facial injuries before being released. His family said that he suffered a cut nose and swollen eye and was given four stitches. He also lost a tooth.”

Most of us, whether we are celebrities or not, manage to get out of the house from time to time and enjoy a drink throughout our lives without ever being charged by the police.

The real issue appears to be that celebrity status leads some of its “victims”, or their apologists, to believe they are above the law.

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