An angry customer who hurled a brick through a pub window after being refused a drink has been cleared of assaulting the landlord.

Louis Taylor was alleged to have attacked Barry Jenner with a brick and a poker, causing a wound to his head.

But the 24-year-old trainee scaffolder was acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, an alternative charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm and two offences of possessing an offensive weapon.

Taylor, who claimed he acted in self-defence, had admitted criminal damage and was fined £100 with £100 costs and ordered to pay £180 compensation for the broken window.

The jury was out for over six-and-a-half hours before returning the verdicts.

After Taylor’s family left court whooping and celebrating, Judge Heather Baucher said: “Shame the jury didn’t hear what just went on outside.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard Taylor had drunk four or five pints of beer at The Walnut Tree in Yalding during the evening of June 29 last year.

He asked for another drink, but barman Michael Welbourne had called “time!” and told him he could have the pint that had been bought for him next time.

Taylor became angry and left. He then threw a brick through the window.

Mr Jenner had just returned from a quiz night at his other pub in Ightham. His partner Debbie Wilding and Mr Welbourne went outside to look for Taylor.

When she did not return quickly Mr Jenner went to look for her.

“I wasn’t so worried about Michael as he is a tough looking rugby type and can handle himself,” he said in evidence.

“I got about 80 yards down the road. The next thing I can remember is being struck on the back of the head by what I assumed was a rock or brick. It knocked me over.

“I was struck or kicked or pummelled a number of times. I felt something sharp on my back. At one stage I was feeling pretty desperate. I thought that’s it.

“I somehow managed to get away. When I came round I was almost under a car in a driveway. A neighbour came out. There was a lot of screaming. Michael was pinning Louis on the ground.

“The police and an ambulance arrived. I was feeling OK but I was completely covered in blood.”

Mr Jenner was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital and treated for a wound to the back of his head, a broken finger and bruising.

Chetna Patel, defending, called the criminal damage “an unpleasant act”. Taylor, she said, had taken steps to address his alcoholism and drug addiction.