Bouncer in brawl admits role in police drug inquiry

A bouncer who says the Chelsea footballer John Terry hit him in the face with a bottle denied yesterday that he was a criminal, but said he had been part of a police drug inquiry.

Defence lawyers have alleged that Trevor Thirlwall, 28, made up the accusation against Mr Terry because he desperately needed money after having 5kg of heroin seized by detectives.

In his fourth day in the witness box at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court, Mr Thirlwall was asked repeatedly by Desmond de Silva, representing Mr Terry, if he had been arrested. He said: "Through the course of their inquiries police as a formality sometimes arrest people – I was helping the police with their inquiries. There is a difference, a difference which you wish to exploit." Asked whether he was implying that he had been working for the police, Mr Thirlwall said the answer to the question could have "dire consequences".

Mr Thirlwall says he was attacked by Mr Terry, his Chelsea team-mate Jody Morris and the Wimbledon player Des Byrne at the Wellington nightclub in Knightsbridge, central London, on 4 January.

When Mr de Silva suggested he was a criminal he said: "That's not only slanderous but that's defamatory of character. I am the victim of a violent crime, I have not come here for financial gain, I did not ask to be put in this position."

Mr Thirlwall said he and his brother Matthew, a professional boxer, were living in fear of reprisals since the alleged attack by the footballers.

Matthew Thirlwall, who was also involved in the incident with the footballers at the nightclub, had not come forward to the police, the court was told. Trevor Thirlwall said both he and his brother had received threats.

The trial continues.