Bradford City footballer Danny Cadamarteri has been sentenced to 180 hours community service after admitting conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The 22-year-old striker told police he had not been present in a fracas with a woman in Liverpool in October 2000.

The former Everton star kept up the lie for 10 months before admitting the truth to his solicitor at the start of his assault trial last year.

Cadamarteri paid a �2,000 fine for the assault on Joeline Joel.

If you had carried on that lying account... you would undoubtedly be going to prison.

Judge David Clarke

Judge David Clarke, at Liverpool Crown Court, said: "When you [Cadamarteri] were faced with police inquiries into the incident which led to your conviction... you behaved in an irresponsible, foolish and criminal manner.

"First, you denied your presence but what you then did was to involve your friends in going along with that lying account.

"If you had carried on that lying account into the trial and had gone into the witness box and committed perjury, you would undoubtedly be going to prison for it.

Talent harnessed

"Fortunately, you thought better of it."

Judge Clarke said he hoped Cadamarteri could make use of his talents during the community punishment order.

Cadamarteri's friend Peter Fletcher, of West Derby, Liverpool, had already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

He will be sentenced next week.