JOHN TERRY FOUND NOT GUILTY OF RACIALLY ABUSING ANTON FERDINAND

Relieved: The former England captain is flanked by security as passes throngs of supporters and the press JOHN Terry has been found not guilty of racially abusing rival footballer Anton Ferdinand today [July 13]. Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle delivered the verdict to a packed courtroom at the end of the England star's week-long trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Chelsea captain, 31, was accused of calling the QPR centre-half a “f****** black c***” during a Premier League match on October 23 last year. He claimed he was sarcastically repeating a slur that Ferdinand mistakenly thought he had used, and denied a racially aggravated public order offence. Explaining his verdict, Mr Riddle said the prosecution presented a strong case. He said: “It is a crucial fact that nobody has given evidence that they heard what Mr Terry said or more importantly how he said it”. “He has given effectively the same account throughout. Insofar as there are discrepancies in his account, they are understandable and natural”. “He says that he was himself wrongly accused by Mr Ferdinand on the pitch of calling him a black c***. “He has maintained that from the beginning.” Mr Riddle said the case was not about “whether Mr Terry is a racist in the broadest sense of the word”. He said he had heard a great deal of evidence to show that he is not. Shell-shocked: Anton Ferdinand's mother, Janice (right), looks stunned as she leaves court after the ruling He added: “It is understandable why Mr Terry wants to make this point, his reputation is at stake”. Dan Morrison, Terry’s lawyer, said outside court: “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”. Nervous: The former England captain was escorted by security past a phalanx of press photographers and TV cameras into the court Dozens of fans and well-wishers had gathered outside the court building to support the player including one middle-aged lady who was seen clutching a bottle of pink champagne. The Crown Prosecution Service defended the decision to prosecute the former England captain. Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, said: “The very serious allegation at the heart of this case was one of racial abuse”. “It was our view that this was not ’banter’ on the football pitch and that the allegation should be judged by a court. Accuser: Anton Ferdinand pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court after giving evidence. The prosecution claimed Ferdinand was 'inconsistent and unreliable both on words and events' “The Chief Magistrate agreed that Mr Terry had a case to answer, but having heard all of the evidence he acquitted Mr Terry of a racially aggravated offence. “That is justice being done and we respect the Chief Magistrate’s decision”.