Two teenagers have been cleared of a street attack on a man who was injured after he left an engagement party.

Michael Southall, who suffered a broken wrist, alleged he was deliberately knocked down and battered after one youth barged between him and his girlfriend.

But a 17-year-old Bromsgrove youth told Worcester Crown Court last Thursday that Mr Southall pushed him over and refused to let go as they lay on the pavement.

He punched Mr Southall in self-defence and Oliver Hodgetts gave evidence that he kicked him to help his friend break free.

On the direction of Judge Andrew Geddes, both teenagers were cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The jury also cleared them of an alternative charge of assault causing actual bodily harm after deliberating for only an hour.

Mr Southall had drunk eight pints of lager during a party at Lickey End Workmen's Club on July 28 last year.

He was walking along Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, hand-in-hand with his girlfriend, Margaret Jepson, when he got injured.

The two defendants, who had been swimming at a local baths, tried to get round the couple who were taking up most of the pavement, the court heard.

The 17-year-old said: "At most I could have brushed slightly against him."

He then heard Mr Southall shouting. "He appeared very angry. He tried to bang our heads together. But he stumbled backwards.

"He grabbed hold of my jumper as he was falling. I couldn't stop myself falling on top of him. He was trying to wrestle me on the floor. I couldn't break free of his grip."

Mr Hodgetts, aged 18, of Briar Close, Lickey End, Bromsgrove, told the jury he kicked Mr Southall on the legs to get his friend out of trouble. The youths, who had no previous convictions, insisted the victim broke his wrist when he fell over. The youths ran down School Lane and jumped over a garden fence to hide.

Mr Hodgetts added: "I thought if he caught us he would probably kill us."

Arrested in September, they both admitted being involved but insisted Mr Southall had wanted a confrontation.