JONATHAN Woodgate should be counting his lucky stars today.

He may have a legal bill of more than £1m to pay but he has his freedom and that is priceless.

His father claims that he would not have been arrested had it not been for his fame.

But fame brings with it responsibility. He is a role model and has an additional duty to steer clear of the kind of hideously ugly episode which led to the savage beating of Sarfraz Najeib.

He may have been cleared of the far more serious charge of grievous bodily harm, but he stands guilty of playing a part in the street attack which led to a young man being scarred for life and two trials costing an estimated £30m.

The level of Woodgate's involvement remains unclear but it is unforgivable to have played any part at all. The fact that it was not the first time he has been linked to violent incidents underlines the doubts about his character.

Like Lee Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate is an extraordinarily privileged young man. He earns the kind of money that the vast majority on people could only dream of on Teesside where he grew up.

It is time he grew up. He has been given chances in life - not least the one he was given by a judge yesterday - and he needs to start taking them.

For a start, he should choose his friends more carefully instead of hanging round with thugs like Paul Clifford whose role in the attack is far more clear-cut.

Jonathan Woodgate must realise how lucky he is - not just to be a professional footballer, but one who remains free to come and go as he pleases.