Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie found not guilty of assault
The footballer was accused of stamping on a Nottingham Forest fan during a pitch invasion in May
Last updated 15th Dec 2022
Sheffield United and Scotland footballer Oli McBurnie has been found not guilty of assault, after he was accused of stamping on a Nottingham Forest fan during a pitch invasion.
The striker had denied a single charge against him, following Forest's play-off semi-final win at the City Ground in May.
Finding McBurnie, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, not guilty of a single charge of assault by beating, District Judge Leo Pyle said his judgment was based on evidence heard in court and "not the instant judgment of social media".
In his ruling, the district judge said some of the evidence given by alleged victim Brinkley had been "somewhat flimsy".
The district judge had been urged by McBurnie's barrister to find that "a degree of club bias" was responsible for accounts given by witnesses to the incident.
In her closing speech to the court, defence lawyer Lisa Judge submitted that the complainant in the case had lied about the incident, and shown malice by sending an abusive Instagram message wishing death on McBurnie and his family.
Referring to a video screenshot which the prosecution claimed showed 6ft 4ins McBurnie, who weighs 90 kilos, looking angry on the pitch, Judge said the player may have a "stern resting face."
The lawyer added: "The prosecution opened this case on that boot following through into a stamp.
"It's quite clear that boot lifted up like a ballerina, trying to clear the legs of Mr Brinkley (who was) clutching his bottle and his programme, lying on the floor of a pitch he should not have been on."
Speaking outside the courtroom, McBurnie told reporters he had been instructed to make no comment on the outcome of the case.
Sheffield United "disappointed" by trial
In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, Sheffield United said their disappointed that McBurnie had to stand trial.
It said: "Oliver, his legal representatives and officials at the club are disappointed that he was forced to stand trial after the traumatic scenes at Nottingham Forest's City Ground on Tuesday 17th May 2022, when Oliver's team-mate, Billy Sharp, was violently assaulted.
"Blades manager Paul Heckingbottom has spoke openly about the dangers of supporters invading the pitch with the fixture at Nottingham just one of a number of similar high-profile incidents.
"Additionally, he has written letters to the Football Association, the English Football League, the League Managers' Association and the Professional Footballers' Association with regards to the safety of players in their place of work and is keen for further action in this area."
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