Magpies' Ranger escapes jail

Newcastle - Newcastle forward Nile Ranger has been convicted of two counts of assault against two police officers, but will not serve any jail time as long as he stays out of trouble for the next 12 months.

Ranger was ordered to pay £750 in damages to each officer, but was given a 12-month conditional discharge - meaning no further action will be taken unless he commits another crime over the next year. He was cleared of two counts of causing bodily harm on two members of the public, and said on Twitter that the verdict is a "good weight off my shoulders".

The 21-year-old Ranger was involved in an altercation in Newcastle in August last year when he punched two men, arguing in court that it was in self defence after being racially taunted.

Prosecutors said that after fleeing the scene, Ranger was stopped by the police but pushed them away twice, causing minor injuries.