TWO Worcester doormen have been cleared of attacks on a reveller who was refused entry to a pub because he defied its dress code by wearing trainers.

Sebastian Abbatiello, a strongman who has represented England, collared drunken Robert Jones after he sneaked inside The Courtyard, in St Nicholas Street.

He claimed Mr Jones armed himself with a bottle before he slapped him in self-defence and removed him from the premises.

Paul Besant, a bouncer at O'Neills pub opposite, went to help Mr Abbatiello after alleging Mr Jones tried to get at him three times.

Mr Abbatiello told how he removed Mr Jones' girlfriend Amy Brown from his back and she fell on to the pavement outside the pub.

After retiring for two hours, a jury at Worcester Crown Court found the doormen not guilty of assaulting Mr Jones and causing him actual bodily harm.

They also cleared 40-year-old Mr Abbatiello, of Brantwood, Worcester, of common assault on Miss Brown.

The prosecution alleged that Mr Jones, who had drunk eight pints of beer, was punched in the face by Mr Abbatiello and then blacked out after being attacked by Mr Besant, 30, of Middle Street, Worcester.

But Mr Abbatiello, a martial arts expert who has appeared on TV in strongman contests, said Mr Jones became violent when he tried to eject him and then grabbed a bottle.

The 19-stone doorman said if he had punched Mr Jones his power would have badly hurt him.

Mr Abbatiello insisted he slapped him, then kicked him in the chest and carried him out of the pub.

He said Miss Brown jumped on his back, pulled his hair and tried to kick him. He carried her out in the same way.

He denied punching Miss Brown, as the prosecution alleged, and said if that had happened she would have been "a hospital case".

Mr Besant gave evidence that he went to the aid of Mr Abbatiello after renewed violence outside the pub, pushing Mr Jones and Miss Brown away.