A MAN cleared of a sexual act inside Redditch's Time nightclub has been sentenced for an affray in a street near the premises.

Ali Abdullah had been accused of grabbing a woman's hand on the dance floor and placing it on top of his private parts.

Two months ago, a jury at Worcester Crown Court cleared 21-year-old Abdullah, of Teme Road, Tolladine, Worcester, of causing a 17-year-old to engage in sexual activity and common assault on her and her boyfriend.

But outside Time, in Church Road, he launched a drop kick on the boyfriend, who was also struck on the head with a bottle by Rebwar Hamakarem causing a nasty wound, said Gareth Walters, prosecuting.

The violence on March 19 was captured on CCTV cameras, which showed the couple being followed as they searched for a taxi and the girl trying to protect her boyfriend.

Recorder Martin Butter-worth gave Abdullah 120 hours of unpaid community work and ordered him to pay £500 court costs.

Hamakarem, aged 26, of Woodfield Close, Abbeydale, Redditch, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Both men admitted affray and Hamakarem also pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Nigel Hall, for Abdullah, said he had now settled down and got a job.

The defendant claimed the girl made funny faces at him in the club and pushed him in the chest.

Tim Sapwell, for Hamakarem, said his family had suffered in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's regime. His father deserted his job in the police force and had never been seen since.

Hamakarem had come to this country because he feared reprisals for his father's actions.