Beckford fined £500 in stabbing incident
Leeds United footballer Jermaine Beckford was fined £500 today after a court heard how he was caught up on the fringes of a violent stabbing.
The 22-year-old striker, who was legally-aided despite earning £1,100 a week, stole a car log book and documents after his younger brother Marcel lured the eventual victim of the stabbing to a flat.
Mark Grant was knifed some 12 times during the assault by the Beckfords' cousin Azelle Rodney in July 2004, Isleworth Crown Court heard today.
Prosecutor Roger Graham told today's short hearing the documents related to a Citroen Saxo, and the player had taken them at Rodney's request.
He added: "On this particular occasion, as a result of people he knew, he became involved in an incident which appears to be out of character.
"He certainly was present during the very violent attack upon Mark Grant."
The barrister said as far as Beckford was concerned the assault culminated with Rodney urging him to go to the home of Mark Grant's girlfriend to pick up the car log book and documents. This he did," he said.
Judge Mr Recorder William Stevenson QC told Beckford, who wore a black shirt and smart tie: "I've heard about you that you got into trouble two years ago in a manner that's completely out of character. There was a principal villain who asked you to pick up documents and you did so. You stole them, stealing is dishonest."
But he told the striker that he took into account his guilty plea to the theft charge, his previous good character - apart from an earlier caution - and his full-time and "very remunerative" job.
He added: "Go away and don't come back to the Crown Court, and I hope you have a successful career with Leeds United."
He fined the young father who divides his time between Leeds and Harrow in Middlesex, £500, giving him three months to pay, and also ordered he pay a £500 contribution towards prosecution costs.
Beckford's brother Marcel, 20, who also gave his address as Moor House Road, Kenton, Harrow, was given a community punishment order of 200 hours unpaid work after admitting grievous bodily harm without intent. The judge noted that while he had lured the victim it was somewhat to his credit that after the attack he did try to render him some sort of first aid.
Rodney, the court heard was fatally shot last year.
Beckford joined the championship club last July and has so far made five substitute appearances for the team and has not scored once.
A spokesman for the club said they had no comment to make.
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Thought it had been too long since a Leeds player disgraced themselves and the club. 
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