As this is BB forum, I will make this last post on Woodgate incident, but found following article, a more recent article:

Times online

and if he is the best central defender in the country why no england call ups - he is too risky his behaviour is too risky - I bet erricson is sighing relief

zipper he was lucky to get away with it in court in fact 2 or 3 times hes been lucky

Thankyou. its good to see some nice members here.

Sven Goran Eriksson admitted that losing Jonathan Woodgate from his Euro 2004 plans because of injury would be a "big blow" for England.

http://sport.independent.co.uk/footb...p?story=515690

Jonathan was convicted of “affray”-the actual offence was running down the street-the main offender and victim had run off earlier and were a long way ahead.
Allegations of racism were made I believe by the victim’s brother and picked up by their attornies and assorted politicals trying to turn the incident into a cause celebre.(One of the people I can think of really should have known better).
Fairly soon after the police investigated, the brother of the victim withdrew the accusation as he claimed he could not remember what was said to make him think that.
So there was never any charge of racism even made against the parties.(Let alone any guilt being proven)
I think no one could even remember what it was all about-they were all too drunk.
Nevertheless one of Jonathans mates was convicted of a serious assault and is currently serving a sentence.
The first court case collapsed when I believe a newspaper printed the allegations of racism-the trial had to be repeated and the newspaper received a record fine.
Allegations of racism are technically libel and place this site at risk-at least in theory which is why certain posts may have been removed in the past.
It seems as though it was an arguement that got out of hand and simply because one person was Asian English and the other White English-the allegations of racism arose.

The New Oxford Dictionary of English defines 'affray' as 'an instance of group fighting in a public place that disturbs the peace'.

I was not defining "affray" in any case
You have rather callousely chosen to quote only one definition.
That does not seem very reasonable.

I was commenting on court records I had read that -irrespective of legal definitions-that stated that his offence was running down the road.He was not found guilty of hitting anyone.
So even the statements he was "thug" are incorrect.
(unless you can be thug even though you do not hit anyone)

where have you been?

To be fair to Kate, topdancer, I don't think any of us actually suspect her of fancying the ugly, racist thug. She called him a toad the first time she saw him remember. Nothing wrong with her eyesight at least.

It was only when she realised that he was rich and famous (well.....sort of) that she started to see his attraction...........

No, Vilt, the New Oxford only gives one definition of 'affray' and that was it. I did check several other dictionaries and they all gave similar definitions. Not one of them mentioned running down the road. As far as I am aware, running down the road is not illegal.

in certain circumstances it is(it is the context you see)ie in this instance.


I have seen other definitions that have many examples-perhaps you have an abridged version-

I think there must be something wrong with the definition as applied to a legal situation-as I say if he had hit anyone it would have been assault-a more serious offence.

Sorry, Vilt, but you are wrong. You are clutching at straws, and I am puzzled as to why you should bother. If I liked Kate, I would be dismayed at her association with this person.

Look up the definition on the web.

Look up the details of the case on the web.

perhaps the facts will overcome your apparent prejudice.

the press seem to have all been convinced.

That is a silly statement because you do not like Kate in the first place.
It is a hypothetical statement that has no meaning as you do not know what it is to like Kate.
(now whose style is that?)

are you not gonna tell me where u bin

I have no need to look up the definition on the web. I have consulted all the best dictionaries in print.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to look up the details of the case on the web.

I had no prejudice against Jonathan Woodgate. Indeed, I had never heard of him before this case reared its ugly head.

Are you suggesting that liking Kate is intrinsically different from liking anyone else? If so, why would it be? If not, then my statement was not silly.

so you cannot go the extra mile for the truth

but you can post biased comments on a website

why comment then?
You post from a postion of ignorance.

I said what I said and stand by it. You wrote what you did for a reason.
I could criticise other HM's I do not like but I generally do not.

Addressing both Woodgate and Caveney, the trial judge said: "Five young students were caused sheer terror as they were pursued through the streets running for their lives."

"By joining in that chase you were terrifying both them and other law-abiding members of the community."

Woodgate, 21, of Middlesbrough, admitted he watched a "big free-for-all" in which a student was seriously injured, but denied being involved in the violence.

Mr Najeib, 21, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was beaten unconscious in the attack outside a Leeds club in January 2000.

He was bitten on the face and suffered a broken leg, nose and cheekbone.

from here

For those who prefer the less watered down version.

Thank you Moomin.

I don't think I've seen it in full before.

Most informative.

You're very welcome darling

Very wise words, lulu

I'm a huge fan of Our Katie, but hate the thought of Herman's mits pawing at her

She should dump him ASAP.....................and find a nice boy. That would seem to rule out most footballers. Wonder if Thierry is still going out with 'Bobbie' or maybe that Denis Bergkamp, he seems like a nice boy.

Think of the Arse'n'al headlines.....................

[quote=swingaleg]Wonder if Thierry is still going out with 'Bobbie' QUOTE]

Thierry and 'Bobby' are now married Swing!