A man accused of leaving a two-inch knife blade in a victim's neck has been cleared by a jury.

Paul Reddington, 30, denied causing the injury to Jay Cranch, from Pitsea.

The jury unanimously found Mr Reddington not guilty of unlawful wounding at the end of a three-day trial at Basildon Crown Court.

Mr Cranch alleged he was knifed in a skirmish with Mr Reddington when he and a group of friends were standing outside the defendant's home in Central Avenue, Southend.

The victim said he did not realise for some time that he had been stabbed in the neck. He said he only became aware of the injury after he put a hand to his neck and was covered in blood.

Then he put his hand up again and felt the blade sticking out of his neck. He was later treated at Southend Hospital.

The defendant told the jury he was baffled by Mr Cranch's knife wound. He denied having anything to do with it or knowing how it could have happened.

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