By Graeme Yorke
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The assault case against Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling collapsed on Friday when his former girlfriend gave 'disappointing' evidence to support the prosecution's case.
Sterling, 18, was alleged to have attacked 19-year-old model Shana Ann Rose Halliday following a row about a text message, Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard.
But Sterling, from Southport, was formally found not guilty by magistrates when the Crown Prosecution Service and he now goes into the Reds' game against Southampton in the clear.
Not guilty: Raheem Sterling was tried for assault at Liverpool Magistrates' Court
Disappointment: Sterling's ex-girlfriend Shana Ann Rose Halliday leaves court after the verdict
He entered a not guilty plea at Liverpool Magistrates' Court last month, having been arrested on August 8 following an incident in Page Moss, Huyton, Liverpool.
He was granted conditional bail and arrived at the same court last Friday afternoon for the start of his trial.
Anthony Leo, Chairman of the bench, said Miss Halliday had given 'unfavourable evidence'.
Miss Halliday, from Liverpool, was crowned the winner of England's Top Model of the World beauty pageant earlier this year.
She went on to contest the pageant's world final in Egypt and reportedly works as a sales assistant for the Hollister clothing chain.
Trial: Sterling is accused of assaulting Shana Ann Rose Halliday, pictured on holiday this summer (right)
A distraught Shana appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court today and gave evidence from behind a screen.
She said: 'We had a heated argument because I seen a text message on his phone. It started because I was trying to get his phone.
We just kept arguing. We were just name calling. I started it.
'Ten minutes after we left the restaurant we stopped at a service station. When we got back, he told me to get out of the car and I said I wasn't because it was raining.
'He said you've got to get out of the car. He pushed me and said I'm done.
'I pushed and shoved his chest and hands and he pushed and shoved my arm and back.'
Focus: Sterling trained with Liverpool before travelling to court
Jamaican-born Sterling, who lives in the leafy Liverpool suburb of Woolton, was remanded on bail before returning to Liverpool Magistrates Court for trial.
The England under-21 international trained with the Liverpool squad this morning before going to court.
Reports suggest that the couple where driving when the assault began and his black Range Rover Evoque came to a screeching halt, before the altercation continued in the street.
The couple had earlier been celebrating her 20th birthday with a meal out and the row is understood to have taken place afterwards.
Top player: Liverpool winger Sterling is a key member of the England under-21 team
On the night Sterling was arrested he wrote on Twitter: 'This food is getting dealt with,' before posting pictures of his meal.
Miss Halliday was crowned the winner of England's Top Model of the World earlier this year before contesting the world final in Egypt.
The Liverpool winger, who joined the Reds in 2010, scored in his side's 4-2 Capital One Cup Second Round win over Notts County last month.
He also netted in England under 21s 6-0 thrashing of Scotland only days after the alleged incident.
The winger could feature for Brendan Rodgers' men who look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they take on Southampton at Anfield tomorrow.
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