The owner of a popular bar, who was cleared of assault, has spoken of his year of hell.

Sanjay Raval, who runs the City Wall Wine Bar in Rochester, has always maintained his innocence since he went to break up a disturbance.

Mr Raval, 50, has had to continue his life as a successful businessman with the threat of a conviction hanging over his head.

To make matters worse Mr Raval, who is involved in the Safer Medway Partnership, had to fork out more than £14,000 to defend himself and clear his name following an incident in Rochester High Street on New Year’s Eve 2017.

He said: “I have run the City Wall for 20 years and my ability to operate a safe social environment has never been questioned. My livelihood depends on treating the public courteously and fairly.

“On this occasion, I acted as any responsible person would have done and tried to stop a disturbance turning into a major incident.

“Sadly, a young man who had enjoyed himself too much, suffered a facial injury when he fell accidentally to the floor.

“I immediately went to his aid and looked after him until medical help arrived. I would do the same again...” - Sanjay Raval

“The prosecution claimed that I grabbed the man by the throat which caused him to lose consciousness and then dropped him to the ground like a ‘sack of potatoes’.

“That could not have been further from the truth. I held him around his chest and he fell to the floor. That is the version of events that the jury unanimously accepted as the truth.

“I immediately went to his aid and looked after him until medical help arrived. I would do the same again.”

Mr Raval said the judge at Maidstone Crown Court informed the jury that it was not an offence as a member of the public to intervene to stop somebody being hurt.

The jury took about 20 minutes to acquit him.

He said: “I am thankful for their good sense. That should tell you how clear-cut this case was.

“I have worked tirelessly to make Rochester a safe place to spend your leisure time serving with the Medway Licensed Victuallers’ Association, the Safer Medway Partnership and many other local organisations.

“Since the court case ended, I have received hundreds of messages of support. I would like to thank all those people who had faith in me.

"I will continue to act responsibly and make your evenings out at my establishment enjoyable and safe.”