A Worcester man who hit another man in the face with a pint glass in a city centre pub has been cleared of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Lee Pawley, aged 36, of Duck Meadow, Warndon Villages, admitted wounding at Worcester Crown Court but denied wounding with intent. A jury cleared him of the charge.

The jury was shown CCTV images of the incident in The Swan With Two Nicks pub on May 15 last year.

Pawley smashed a pint glass in the face of 37-year-old Kevin Matthews, who had gone to the pub after watching the FA Cup final.

He sat at a table occupied by Pawley’s wife and sister-in-law. Pawley asked him to leave. They exchanged words.

As Mr Matthews got up, he tipped some of his drink over Pawley’s head. Pawley swung at him with the glass, leaving him covered in blood and needing stitches.

Peter Grice, prosecuting, said there had been “significant force” in the blow.

Nicholas Berry, defending, said Mr Matthews had been asked several times to leave by his friend but had stayed.

It was a “big leap” to suggest that in just a few seconds Pawley had formed the intention to cause him really serious harm.

Pawley was released on unconditional bail to return to court for sentencing in the week beginning Monday, June 6.