Robson backs 'good friend' Crerand

Bryan Robson was character witness for Paddy Crerand

Ex-England captain Bryan Robson has been appearing as a character witness in the trial of former Manchester United star Paddy Crerand for alleged assault.

Crerand is alleged to have used a golf club "like a baseball bat" and hit motorist Mark Taylor in the head and twice in the abdomen last November.

Robson told Manchester Crown Court that he had known Mr Crerand for 20 years and he was a "very good friend".

Patrick was like the peacemaker

Mike Summerbee

Asked if the attack described by the prosecution sounded like his friend, Mr Robson replied: "It does not seem like his character at all."

On the pitch, Robson said Crerand "always showed a deaf ear and turned away from any trouble".

Another former England player and Manchester City footballer Michael Summerbee, 59, from Wilmslow, also came forward as a character witness for Mr Crerand.

Mr Summerbee had known Mr Crerand since 1965 and had played against him in many derby matches in the 1960s.

He said: "Patrick was like the peacemaker. He came in to calm any trouble down, he calmed the situation down."

'Ranting and raving'

On 23 November 2001 Mr Crerand, 63, of Moss Way, Sale, Greater Manchester, collected his five-year-old granddaughter Saoirse from school.

He told the court that on his way home Mr Taylor pulled up behind his car "honking and flashing his lights".

He accused Mr Taylor, 39, of "ranting and raving", before coming onto his driveway and punching Mr Crerand in the face.

Mr Crerand said: "I was surprised. He jumped on me and he attacked me by punching me on the lower jaw.

Summerbee: 'Paddy was a peacemaker'

"I grabbed the golf club out of the car to try and protect myself and he got hold of it. I got hold of it and we were both wrestling."

Under cross-examination, Mr Crerand was accused of "losing the plot" and was asked why he did not mention hitting Mr Taylor in the abdomen in his first police interview.

Mr Crerand replied: "I had been in the police station for seven or eight hours - it was a harrowing experience. I was in a very agitated state."

Prosecuting, Alan Wolstenholme: "I suggest that you lost your temper very quickly that day. You lost the plot, didn't you, Mr Crerand?

"You were annoyed that this man came on to your driveway and you were going to make sure he got a good hiding."

Mr Crerand denies one charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one charge of unlawful wounding.

The trial continues.