Bouncer cleared of attack on man

A bouncer who hit a drunken party-goer who then suffered brain damage, has been cleared of grievous bodily harm.

Kevin Marsh, 39, was floored by a single punch from Christopher Wake, 49, outside Lloyds nightclub in Market Place, Leicester, on 23 June 2003.

Leicester Crown Court heard Mr Marsh, from Bolton, suffered massive head injuries when he hit the ground and was left with permanent brain damage.

The jury accepted Mr Wake of Grasmere Street, Leicester, had been provoked.

The court heard Mr Marsh had been drinking heavily and was ejected from the premises by several bouncers in the early hours of the morning before trying to get back in.

Mr Wake tried to stop him and delivered the punch during a heated confrontation.

But he insisted he "got in first" because he feared he was about to be attacked.