Footballer cleared of club assault

FOOTBALLER Darren McGregor has been cleared of assault after his alleged victim failed to appear in court to give evidence.

McGregor, 26, who lives in Edinburgh and plays for St Mirren, always denied assaulting Chiedozi Okere at the Base Nightclub in the Cowgate by punching him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground to his injury on July 3 last year.

McGregor had claimed self-defence.

His trial was due to go ahead in Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, but Fiscal Depute Anna Murphy had to tell Sheriff Derrick McIntyre that Mr Okere had not turned up.

Defence solicitor Nigel Bruce called on Sheriff McIntyre to accept McGregor’s plea of not guilty and dismiss the case, which he did.

Outside court McGregor said he was “just relieved the matter was over”.