LIVERPOOL CAPTAIN STEVEN GERRARD 'THREW FIRST PUNCH IN STREET BRAWL CAUGHT ON CCTV,'

Former England captain Steven Gerrard threw the first punch in a street assault which sparked a blackmail plot involving an off-duty policewoman, a court heard.

Paul Lloyd yesterday gave evidence at the trial of ex-cop Helen Jones who has admitted illegally seizing CCTV footage of the alleged bust-up.

The 35-old described being 'kicked and punched for four minutes' by the midfielder's pals, a court was told.

And he told Preston Crown Court how the Liverpool skipper instigated the violence against him outside a bar in Formby, Merseyside, after the 34-year-old's testimonial match.

Liverpool fan and property developer Lloyd, who lives on the same plush street as Gerrard and his wife Alex, described how Gerrard, along with up to 12 friends, joined in the disturbance on August 4, last year, after it spilled out of the venue.

Mr Lloyd, 35, asked in court what was on DVD footage of the fracas which he was later handed, said: "It showed me on my own assaulted by 12 people and Steven Gerrard being aggressive and throwing the first punch, and all his friends thought it was right for me to be kicked and punched for four minutes."

culled from Mirror.uk