'Harpoon attack' not deliberate

An x-ray shows how the harpoon became wedged in the boy's face

A man has been cleared of deliberately firing a scuba harpoon into the face of a 15-year-old boy, causing him to lose an eye.

Jurors at Reading Crown Court acquitted Nathan Kirk, 25, of grievous bodily harm with intent against the boy after a brawl in Thatcham, Berks, in 2003.

Mr Kirk, of Upper Inkpen, Hungerford, denied all charges, saying he acted in self-defence.

Jurors will return on Thursday to continue deliberating two more charges.

They include a further charge of grievous bodily harm and unlawful possession of an offensive weapon.

'Feared attacks'

Emergency crews had to use bolt-cutters to remove the three-pronged harpoon from the boy's face.

During the trial at Reading Crown Court, the jury heard how Mr Kirk was stabbed close to his heart in a fight with the 15-year-old and two older men outside his girlfriend's flat.

Nathan Kirk said he was acting in self-defence

He subsequently went into the property and returned with a scuba gun.

During the brawl it was fired and became lodged in the teenager's face.

His defence lawyers said the gun was fired by accident after he had acted in self-defence, fearing further life-threatening attacks.

The jury reached its verdict after four hours and 20 minutes.

They were sent home overnight by Judge Stanley Spence to return to continue deliberations on the two outstanding counts on Thursday.