Man, 20, cleared of attack

A young Exmouth man alleged to have attacked a friend in an outbreak of late night street violence in the town, has been cleared by a jury.

A young Exmouth man alleged to have attacked 'a friend' in an outbreak of late night street violence in the town, has been cleared by a jury.

At Exeter Crown Court 20-year-old Thomas Shaw, of Colleton Way, Exmouth, was found not guilty of assaulting Alan Bassett, causing him actual bodily harm in February.

It had been claimed by the Crown that Mr Shaw crossed the road just along from the old Woolworth's store in the town in the early hours of the morning, bit his victim on the cheek then flung him to the ground smacking his head on the pavement.

When Mr Bassett was asked whether he had done anything to provoke the alleged attack he replied: "Not that I can think of, no."

However, Mr Shaw said that he was acting in self defence, following an attack on him by Mr Bassett, who denied that he was a man prone to violence. But he did admit that he had a previous conviction for assault in 2007.

Mr Bassett told defence counsel Robert Duval that he had drunk about seven pints, but said he was not drunk and claimed, to be in that state, would have to have consumed a further seven pints.

"I was not stone-cold sober, but it would have taken another seven pints to get me drunk," said Mr Bassett.

He denied a suggestion by Mr Duval that he was proud of that fact.

Mr Shaw had pleaded not guilty to the assault charge.