A DISC jockey who head-butted a love rival breaking his cheekbone has been cleared of an unlawful attack.

Mark Franklin told a jury at Worcester Crown Court he had acted in self defence.

Violence erupted outside The Ambassador club in Evesham where Mr Franklin worked.

He followed his girlfriend 18-year-old Kelly White after seeing her dancing with Ian Hall - but a row blew up between the two men.

The defendant insisted he thought he was going to be hit so got the first blow in.

The head-butt knocked Mr Hall to the ground. Besides the jaw injury, he suffered bleeding in his right eye.

The jury unanimously cleared 40-year-old Mr Franklin, of Tilesford Park, Pershore, of unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm after retiring for two hours.

'Dirty dancing'

The court heard Mr Franklin accused Mr Hall of "dirty dancing" with Miss White "as if he was her missus" on July 18 last year.

They and two other friends left the Avon Street club in the early hours before a shouting match erupted.

Mr Franklin - who, like the victim, had previous convictions for violence - said he felt cornered. He was sober while the others had been drinking.

Lee Marklew, defending, told the jury: "Anyone under threat of imminent attack is allowed to get the first blow in. He hit him only once and was entitled to defend himself."

Mr Marklew alleged that Mr Hall was angry and drunk and had a quick temper. Police had judged the group to be so drunk as being incapable of being interviewed until later.

Prosecutor Pardeep Tiwana claimed Mr Hall had done "absolutely nothing" before he was head-butted in the face.