Nervous: The former England captain was escorted by security past a phalanx of press photographers and TV cameras into the court
John Terry was today dramatically cleared of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League game.
The former England captain sat as in silence behind the glass-fronted dock while Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle delivered the verdict to the packed Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
But cheers erupted from friends in the public gallery as he was cleared.
Terry refused to comment as he stormed out of the court building to shouts of support from crowds waiting outside before being whisked away in a waiting car.
As he was whisked away in a waiting car, a throng of Chelsea supporters celebrated and one man, who gave his name as Javid, unfurled a John Terry poster and made a very loud, determined speech which appeared to drown out television reporters’ pieces to camera.
Ferdinand’s mother, Janice, and other relatives looked shell-shocked as the verdict was announced and declined to respond when they left the public gallery.
The QPR defender was not in court for the verdict as he had earlier left Heathrow for a pre-season of the Far East.
Outside, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said: ‘Chelsea Football Club notes and, of course, we respect the decision of the magistrate today. We are pleased that John can now put his mind to football and go back to training and do what he’s done for many years.’
Dan Morrison, Terry’s lawyer, said: ‘The court has today acquitted John Terry of all charges. He has consistently explained his position to the FA, the police and to the court.
‘He did not racially abuse Mr Ferdinand and the court has accepted this. John would like to thank his legal team for their hard work and his family, friends and Chelsea Football Club for their support.’
But the £160,000 a week Chelsea captain always insisted that he was only repeating back the slur that Ferdinand mistakenly thought he had used.
Mr Riddle said: ‘It is impossible to be sure what were the words spoken by Mr Terry at the time.
It is also impossible to say what was said by Mr Ferdinand. But agreed that Ferdinand was ‘brave’ witness.
‘I think this is a reasonable description,’ he added. ‘I am satisfied that there was little or no good reason for him to lie about the central issue on this case. I think it is unlikely that on the central point he was lying.
‘Overall I found Anton Ferdinand to be a believable witness on the central issue. It’s clear that the prosecution had built a strong case.’
Terry’s case was backed up by teammate Ashley Cole, who said he may have heard Ferdinand say ‘black’ during the exchange in front of a TV audience of two million in a clash between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers on October 23 last year.
Terry had faced a £2,500 if convicted of the racially aggravated public order offence, but more significantly, the potential end of his England footballing career.
Giving evidence, Terry had described himself as ‘angry and upset’ over the claims.
Ferdinand’s mother, Janice, and other relatives were in court to hear the verdict.
Her son had told the court: “When someone brings your colour into it, it takes it to another level and it’s very hurtful.’
Ferdinand was not in court for the verdict as he was seen leaving Heathrow today for a pre-season tour of the Far East with QPR, although members of his family including his mother Janice were in the public gallery for the decision.
