Nightclub bouncer Thomas Mooney was cleared of unlawfully wounding a man celebrating his 21st birthday.

Judge Caroline Ludlow directed a jury to return a not guilty verdict on 30-year-old Mooney because of confusion and contradictions by prosecution witnesses.

She said: "The contradictions were of such a level that it would be wrong to go ahead with the case.

"We heard very different accounts from each of the witnesses."

One alleged three punches were thrown at young Duane Pearce as he was being ejected from the crowded Time disco, Basildon, in early February.

Another blamed a bouncer for attacking Mr Pearce in the reception area, even though it was proved the man was not even in that part of the Southernhay club. Former manager Neil Toplis, 26, said: "The guy came running at us and Tom hit him with his fist."

Mooney, of Old Heath Road, Colchester, claimed he only punched Mr Pearce once with the palm of his hand after the rowdy reveller tried to force his way back inside the disco.

He added: "He went over. I made sure he was all right. There was no malice."

The jury heard how Mr Pearce fell to the pavement and was knocked unconscious.

He was seen lying in a pool of blood and was suffering breathing difficulties.

He later described at Basildon Crown Court how he recalled waking up in hospital with a badly split lip and other facial injuries.

Mr Pearce told the jury he could no longer speak properly and had lost confidence in himself to such an extent that he no longer frequents pubs and nightclubs.

After the court verdict, Mooney was met by other bouncers in the public gallery.

He refused to comment about the case, apart from saying: "I have done nothing wrong."

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