A former Liverpool FC participant feared for his profession and his eyesight after he was struck to the bottom and allegedly racially abused in an assault within the metropolis middle, a court docket has heard.

Ross Gardner allegedly racially assaulted former Reds goalie Shamal George in 2019.

Gardner, previously of Stapleton Highway, Doncaster, has beforehand admitted assaulting Mr George and his brother, Lloyd Smith, however denies the cost of aggravated racial assault.

The 32-year-old didn’t seem in court docket as we speak and mentioned he won’t attend the trial, won’t be represented and can stay at his new handle in Spain.

Mr George courageously appeared at Liverpool Crown Courtroom as we speak to testify to the assault he and his older brother suffered contained in the Purple Door bar in Berry Road on March 9, 2019. On the time, Mr. George was below contract with the Anfield membership, though he’s now enjoying for Colchester United.

Whereas a Liverpool participant, he had loaned spells to Tranmere Rovers and Marine.

Following the assault contained in the bar, which Gardner admitted, Mr George claimed to have heard somebody name him “f ***** n *****” earlier than he was solely punched within the face by Gardner and knocked to the bottom.

Though unsure who kicked him, Mr George, born in Birkenhead, claimed he was left in a pool of blood exterior the bar by Gardner, after he and her brother have been assaulted for the primary time inside.

Sarah Griffin, suing, mentioned Mr George, Mr Smith and associates had been to city for a buddy’s birthday.

Mr George mentioned he had drunk “about three drinks” all through the night, however had stopped consuming earlier than the assault as a result of he had educated the following day.

The group headed to Purple Door, the place Mr. George mentioned he was speaking to a buddy on the bar whereas ready to purchase Mr. Smith a drink.

Exhibiting CCTV footage to the jury as we speak, Ms Griffin requested Mr George to establish himself within the footage.

The footage exhibits a scuffle erupted behind Mr George, and he mentioned he turned to note his brother had been hit.

Mr. George then makes an attempt to interrupt up the altercation however is himself punched within the face, whereas his brother is punched within the lip, slitting it open.

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Ms Griffin mentioned: “As soon as inside, Shamal George was speaking to a buddy and he goes to the bar to purchase his brother a drink. After which inside moments the accused assaults them each by hitting them. , earlier than it was dragged.

“Lloyd Smith is unaware of that punch, however he remembers being taken downstairs and he had a lower on his lip, which was bleeding.

“He mentioned he did not know what occurred, or why it occurred.”

Giving proof, Mr Smith mentioned there had been no prior interplay with Gardner and the 2 brothers didn’t know him.

Ms Griffin added: “Shamal George went to the workplace to attempt to get his brother checked after he lower his lip. He then went to the lavatory and went again contained in the bar to attempt to do it. .

“He was then informed to undergo safety and he informed them he hadn’t carried out something flawed, that he was simply ready for his brother. Lloyd Smith was nonetheless inside.

“Shamal George was standing exterior [of the bar] and at this level the accused comes out and assaults Shamal George.

“Mr. George remembers being on the ground and whereas he was on the ground watching he [Gardner] mentioned who’re you you f ****** n *****. “

Gardner admitted assaulting Mr. George, inflicting him precise bodily hurt (ABH) and pleaded responsible on January 2, 2020.

He additionally admitted an authentic assault on ABH towards Mr Smith and a brawl cost, all of which have been linked to occasions contained in the bar.

Nonetheless, Gardner has denied a cost of aggravated racial assault inflicting ABH towards Mr George, which allegedly happened exterior.

Testifying, Mr George mentioned he had his again turned upon listening to the alleged racist slurs and was then crushed “instantly” by a person he claimed to be Gardner.

The 23-year-old informed the court docket: ‘On the time, I used to be on the bar having a drink at Lloyd, however I bear in mind one thing occurring behind me.

“Somebody was in his [Lloyd’s] the face, so I acquired in between them and threw one thing, after which I acquired hit first.

“I [later asked Lloyd] what was taking place and why? “

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Talking of the alleged incident exterior, Mr George mentioned: ‘I went upstairs and was dragged by safety, I believe.

“I bear in mind seeing a lady I knew so I used to be speaking to her and I bear in mind turning round and listening to somebody say ‘f ****** n *****’ then to show round after which I used to be hit.

“After which I bear in mind being on the ground.”

Detailing the assault, Mr George mentioned: “I used to be punched within the eye, then I fell, then I used to be kicked within the face.”

In Mr. Smith’s testimony, he mentioned he left the downstairs workplace after listening to that Mr. George was not there.

Nervous about him, he went upstairs and was informed contained in the bar that his youthful brother was now exterior.

Monitoring him down, Mr Smith mentioned “there was numerous blood” coming from Mr George’s eye and the footballer was screaming he could not see.

Mr Smith mentioned: “I bear in mind seeing my brother out on the bottom and there was a crowd round him.

“He was screaming that he could not see along with his eye. There was numerous blood and his eye was closed. I attempted to maintain him calm, to maintain him nonetheless and informed him I used to be there.

“I went within the ambulance with him and he was panicking about his profession, he was apprehensive about his sight.”

The court docket heard that each brothers wanted stitches and Mr George mentioned his nostril was damaged through the ordeal.

Gardner was arrested after photographs of him have been posted on social media.

In an interview, he answered “no remark” to the entire questions.

The trial continues.