A man accused of assaulting county councillor Malcolm Calver has been sensationally cleared.

Magistrates said Charles Louis Cochrane acted reasonably in self-defence after being knocked over by Cllr Calver's car during a violent incident in October.

Returning a not guilty verdict on Mr Cochrane, who had denied common assault, the chairman, Mrs Ann Leney, said the Bench considered the evidence of Cllr Calver to be "inconsistent with that of the other witnesses and his recollection of events rather vague."

Cllr Calver had accused 57-year-old Mr Cochrane of 39, Dewing Avenue, Manorbier of punching a hole in his windscreen and subjecting him to a vicious and sustained assault after a confrontational community council meeting in the Skrinkle Community Centre on October 4th.

But the court accepted that Mr Cochrane's injuries were more consistent with being hit by the councillor's car, rolling over the bonnet and falling on the gravel.

Mrs Leney said the magistrates had spent a considerable time revisiting the prosecution case and accepted that there were grievances and inappropriate words and actions on all sides.

The case had been adjourned after on all-day trial last Monday.

Defence solicitor, Miss Maggie Hughes, said that Mr Cochrane had submitted his defence warts and all, admitting to using obscene language and pulling Cllr Calver out of his car.

But, Miss Hughes said, Cllr Calver had 'over-egged the pudding', exaggerating his injuries and accusing Mr Cochrane of punching him.

The car, the court heard, had been driven at Mrs Michelle Lees when she tried to speak to the councillor.

Mr Cochrane pushed her out of the way and had been knocked down before pulling the driver (Cllr Calver) out to prevent him using the car again as a lethal weapon.

The chairman said: "There is no evidence to show that Mr Calver's injuries were as serious as he maintains. Mr (Cllr Martin) Davies, when he telephoned the police only mentioned damage to a vehicle and whatever took place happened in one minute.

"Mr Cochrane could have chosen to accept a caution, but he made no effort to hide his own poor behaviour. His injuries are consistent with his rolling over the bonnet of a car and falling onto the gravel."

She went on: "We believe Mr Cochrane's evidence that he went to assist Mrs Lees and that he was struck by Mr Calver's car. His spontaneous reaction was to try and remove Mr Calver from the vehicle, as he could use it again as a weapon. We don't think it is possible for serious punches to have been thrown in the car.

"Mrs Lees' evidence was clear, credible and compelling and her account is supported by the other witnesses. We have taken the law of self-defence into account and we feel Mr Cochrane acted reasonably to avoid any further attempt by Mr Calver to use his car as a weapon."