Ireland international and Manchester United soccer captain Roy Keane was cleared yesterday of assaulting a 16-year-old boy who taunted him.
Keane (33) was also cleared at Trafford Magistrates Court, in Greater Manchester, of causing criminal damage and using threatening behaviour. The charges related to an altercation near the footballer's £1 million home in the Manchester suburb of Hale last September.
In court, Keane said that while he was annoyed after the youth had insulted him and made a hand gesture, he did not swing a punch at the teenager.
The football star had been accused of grabbing the 16-year-old round the neck, swinging a punch and shouting in the face of the youngster. But Keane spent 40 minutes in the witness box giving evidence in his own defence to deny the allegations.
After being cleared, Keane said he was "very relieved justice has been done", in a statement from his solicitor.
He told the court he had simply told the lad to "watch your mouth" and denied manhandling the boy.
Keane made no reaction as he was cleared of common assault, criminal damage and a public order offence following a two-day trial. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reason, was described in court as an "attention seeker" who had admitted lying.
District Judge Paul Richardson said the student had been exposed as a liar during the trial. - (PA)