Boss cleared of assaulting rival

A Shropshire managing director accused of attacking a rival in a London street punch-up after a conference at the Savoy Hotel has been cleared of assault.

Craig Barnshaw, 36, was said to have battered 53-year-old sales executive Brian Green after the construction industry's annual black-tie bash.

But yesterday jurors at London's Southwark Crown Court took less than two hours to acquit Mr Barnshaw of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Barnshaw, of Grooms Lane, Kemberton, near Shifnal, who had denied the charge, insisted he had struck Mr Green twice in self-defence.

The jury had heard during a three-day trial that the boss of Barnshaw Section Benders, Oldbury, West Midlands, had gone to London for a steel industry meeting and formal dinner at the Savoy Hotel on March 7.

Also there was Mr Green, who used to work for Barnshaws but was now with rival Angle Ring, of Tipton.

The first sign of bad blood came later that evening after the two men had returned to the nearby Strand Palace Hotel where they were staying.

Mr Gino Connor, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Green, who had been drinking, had made "over the top" remarks about Barnshaws.

He said the pair went into the street outside, took off their tuxedos and squared up to each other.

They were involved in violence which left Mr Green with chipped teeth and blood pouring from his face. Mr Barnshaw, who was uninjured, walked off to join friends at Stringfellow's nightclub.

He admitted asking Mr Green to go outside with him but only because of his bad behaviour.

Mr Barnshaw told the jury: "He swung a punch at me which hit me in the face and I retaliated by hitting him twice because I was trying to protect myself."

By Peter Johnson