Nurse cleared of directing brawl

Claire Evans was allegedly seen on CCTV footage

A nurse has been cleared of orchestrating a brawl involving Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters in London's West End.

Claire Evans, 38, was allegedly captured on CCTV "encouraging and directing" up to 20 football fans to charge at a small group of pub-goers.

They were head-butted and punched and one was kicked repeatedly on the floor.

Ms Evans, from south east Wales, denied one count of violent disorder at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.

'Wrongfully imprisoned'

David Povall, prosecuting, said the brawl followed Wolverhampton Wanderers' 1-0 defeat at West Ham United in October, 2004.

It was first spotted by a council CCTV operator.

It was alleged in court Ms Evans told a group football supporters outside Charing Cross underground station to launch the attack.

Ms Evans, formerly from Bearwood, Birmingham, but now of St Dials Road, Cwmbran, explained she was trying to warn them away from trouble and was pointing to one of the security cameras she knew was filming them.

Ms Evans, a law student, had said she had done her best to avoid a confrontation, rather than be part of the brawl.

'Sober and frightened'

Outside court Ms Evans said: "I have utter contempt for those who have been involved in this prosecution."

She said she had been wrongfully imprisoned and made to stand trial for something she had not done.

She said she was strongly against violence.

"I have received hate mail, anonymous phone calls and my Wolverhampton Wanderers season ticket was taken from me."

Ms Evans' fiance, now her husband, was among 15 Wolverhampton fans jailed for their involvement in the attack.