Former Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane has been cleared of aggressively confronting a taxi driver in an alleged road rage row.

Keane, 43, denied the public order offence after cabbie Fateh Kerar, 44, had told him to “cheer up” and smile.

The Old Trafford legend gave evidence from the witness box himself and after a half day trial at Manchester Magistrates’ Court he was cleared of the offence.

District Judge Duncan Birrell said there was something of the “thwarted fan” about Mr Kerar and Keane’s lawyer described the whole incident as a “storm in a tea cup”.

Keane was cleared of causing harassment, alarm or distress to Mr Kerar - a Public Order offence.

Dismissing the case against Keane, the judge told him: “I have listened with great care to the evidence in your case. The burden of proof is on the prosecution.

“It’s my view, taking, as I have said, a careful account of the evidence, that they have failed to discharge their burden; therefore I find you not guilty.”

He added that the evidence was “riddled with inconsistencies and improbabilities”.

He told Keane: “You probably will regret getting out of the car.”

The defendant made no reaction as the verdict was given.