A MAN accused of assault outside a Kendal pub has been cleared after claiming it was self-defence.

Jamie Wilson, 31, who lives in Stockport but was working in Kendal at the time of incident last year, appeared before South Lakeland magistrates accused of attacking local resident, Lee Medcalf.

The pair had met on July 30 at the Heron Inn, Esthwaite Avenue, and had played pool together and with other friends.

Magistrates heard they had left the pub at around 11pm, when Mr Medcalf allegedly punched Mr Wilson ‘out of the blue’.

Mr Medcalf then came back towards him in an ‘aggressive’ way, prompting Mr Wilson to punch him in self-defence.

But Mr Medcalf and girlfriend at the time, Jessica Crone, both told magistrates that Mr Medcalf had not delivered the first blow.

Ms Crone also told the court that Mr Medcalf had been the victim of several taunts about the colour of his hair - although Mr Medcalf himself said that this was not the case.

Finding Mr Wilson not guilty, Chair of the Bench, Anne Hawson, said: “We’ve listened to all the evidence and heard that all parties consumed a considerable amount of alcohol that evening.

“There’s been some conflicting evidence but we have agreed that Lee Medcalf walked back towards you with his arms raised and the defence - that is you - and the defence witness perceived this was an aggressive act so we cannot conclude that it was not an act of self-defence.”