A Malvern landlord has been cleared of assaulting a man outside his pub late at night.

Steven Hickman was given a two year bind-over in the sum of £500 at Worcester Crown Court.

He was involved in a struggle on the pavement outside the Red Lion on February 10, last year, said Samantha Crabb, prosecuting.

Paul Cutts, aged 29, suffered "nasty injuries" to his face, she added. But she decided not to proceed to trial because of witness problems.

Hickman, aged 40, of St Anne's Road, Malvern, was given a not guilty verdict on a charge of assaulting Mr Cutts and causing him actual bodily harm. He had denied the offence.

Miss Crabb said at least four witnesses told police that the licensee was the victim of aggression himself.

He also fell to the ground and was kicked during the scuffle. One man at the scene was carrying a weapon.

Francis Laird, defending, said the outcome of the case was important to Hickman because he held a liquor licence.

He had "a raft of references" describing Hickman's running of the pub in glowing terms.

Mr Laird insisted the landlord had acted in self-defence.

Recorder Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC said the rights and wrongs of the case would not be aired because of the decision not to run a trial.

But he warned the bind-over was to ensure the licensee bore a responsibility for peace and safety at his pub in the future.