A shift worker accused of punching and kicking his landlord after a dispute over access has been cleared at an appeal at Worcester Crown Court.

Night-shift worker Adrian Hume rented a bedsit in Hawkwood Crescent, St John's, Worcester, off Jonathan Turton.

But he warned Mr Turton he was restricting access to his home in order to get uninterupted sleep during the day.

Cleaners were unable to enter the block after Mr Hume left a key inside the locks stopping anyone from coming in.

When 20-stone Mr Turton went to investigate and tell him his tenancy was not being renewed, he claimed he was punched and kicked.

Mr Turton admitted going into his bedsit without permission, although he had access by agreement into communal spaces.

Hume, aged 36, now of Barbourne Grange, Worcester, had his appeal allowed by Recorder Denis Desmond.

A fine of £500 with £150 compensation to Mr Turton, imposed by Worcester magistrates, were quashed.

Prosecutor Julian Harris said Mr Hume told police he lashed out using his elbow before an exchange of blows on April 11 last year.

He thought he was going to be attacked and had acted in self-defence.

Mr Turton, who had gone to the block with his office manager, told the hearing he would not have acted aggressively to a man who served with the Territorial Army.

But Jonathan Veasey-Pugh, defending, claimed Mr Turton had "snapped" over a difficult tenant, rushed forward and punched Mr Hume while he was packing his bag for work.