Ex-girlfriend of footballer Stewart Downing found guilty of headbutting his friend
GUILTY VERDICT: Donna Maloney arriving at courtAN ex-girlfriend of former Middlesbrough footballer Stewart Downing has been found guilty of common assault after she headbutted his friend on a night out.
Donna Maloney had denied the offence during her trial at Teesside Magistrates Court, in Middlesbrough today.
But magistrates have convicted her of headbutting Matthew Peverall, a friend of Mr Downing's.
The court heard that Maloney told police she wanted to speak to Mr Downing, who now plays for Liverpool, in the early hours of January 8.
Mr Peverall attempted to get her to stay away from the Premiership star at the Cross Keys in Yarm.
He told the court he tried to get Maloney to walk away before she headbutted him sometime before 12.30am, causing a half-inch gash to his nose.
Police officers that were present described how Mr Downing and 10 to 15 of his friends were escorted from the building by bouncers as Maloney waited outside.
Two officers say they witnessed Mr Downing pushing Maloney "palm-first" to the face, causing her to stumble backwards.
He described watching the footballer "striking Miss Maloney to the face".
Acting Inspector Christopher Motson recalled seeing Maloney step backwards and lose her balance after Mr Downing allegedly assaulted her.
Officers arrested Mr Downing and called for backup as his friends became aggressive.
After this arrest, as Mr Downing sat in a police vehicle, Mr Peverall approached officers to make the headbutt allegation, which led to Maloney also being arrested as she gave a statement in a police van.
Maloney's solicitor Nigel Soppitt claimed Mr Peverall was actually injured in a fracas outside, which was caught on CCTV, and that he made the allegation up as a form of revenge on Mr Downing's behalf.
Mr Peverall told the court that Mr Downing had Maloney ejected from Tall Trees nightclub in Yarm about a year ago.
She will be sentenced later today.
2:37pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in Stockton News
Donna Maloney had denied the offence during her trial at Teesside Magistrates Court, in Middlesbrough today.
But magistrates have convicted her of headbutting Matthew Peverall, a friend of Mr Downing's.
The court heard that Maloney told police she wanted to speak to Mr Downing, who now plays for Liverpool, in the early hours of January 8.
Mr Peverall attempted to get her to stay away from the Premiership star at the Cross Keys in Yarm.
He told the court he tried to get Maloney to walk away before she headbutted him sometime before 12.30am, causing a half-inch gash to his nose.
Police officers that were present described how Mr Downing and 10 to 15 of his friends were escorted from the building by bouncers as Maloney waited outside.
Two officers say they witnessed Mr Downing pushing Maloney "palm-first" to the face, causing her to stumble backwards.
PC Daren Keeley told the court that Mr Downing told Maloney to "f*** off" as she stood, looking upset, outside the club.He described watching the footballer "striking Miss Maloney to the face".
Acting Inspector Christopher Motson recalled seeing Maloney step backwards and lose her balance after Mr Downing allegedly assaulted her.
Officers arrested Mr Downing and called for backup as his friends became aggressive.
After this arrest, as Mr Downing sat in a police vehicle, Mr Peverall approached officers to make the headbutt allegation, which led to Maloney also being arrested as she gave a statement in a police van.
Maloney's solicitor Nigel Soppitt claimed Mr Peverall was actually injured in a fracas outside, which was caught on CCTV, and that he made the allegation up as a form of revenge on Mr Downing's behalf.
None of Mr Downing's friends came to court as a witness apart from Mr Peverall and the police have said they were unable to make a copy of the CCTV footage for the court.Mr Peverall told the court that Mr Downing had Maloney ejected from Tall Trees nightclub in Yarm about a year ago.
She will be sentenced later today.
