THE former editor of the Hartlepool Mail has told of his relief after being acquitted of so-called 'road rage' charges.

Harry Blackwood, of Filpoke Lane, Hartlepool, was accused of common assault and threatening behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress at Teesside Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, June 2).

After a day-long trial, magistrates found him not guilty of both counts, prompting the former Mail on Sunday journalist to claim he was unfairly arrested. He said serious questions should now be asked of Cleveland Police.

Robert Moore, prosecuting, explained that the road rage accusations focused on an stand-off between keen cyclist Mr Blackwood and a motorist, David Walker, on the main Wolviston Road dual carriageway through Billingham on October 1, last year.

He said Mr Blackwood had grabbed Mr Walker's arm, causing bruising, which amounted to common assault.

Mr Walker told the court that Mr Blackwood was not on the cycle track but the main drag - and he claimed he had been swerving on the road.

He tooted him, Mr Blackwood gesticulated and Mr Walker stopped the car.

Mr Walker said: "He (Mr Blackwood) just said 'I'm going to kill you, you f***ing piece of scum'.

"He was trying to get in my car. That was when he made a bruise on my arm."

Both Mr Walker and Mr Blackwood called police after the former drove off.

However, the incident was upgraded by police to an emergency when Mr Walker reported seeing Mr Blackwood near his home on St Columba's Avenue and special operations officer PC James Grieves attended the scene.

The court heard that Mr Blackwood, who was on St Columba's Avenue by chance, became angry when questioned by PC Grieves.

PC Grieves told the court: "His (Mr Blackwood's) chest was puffed up, his arms were raised and his fists clenched.

He was saying 'I know the law, I can swear'. He started recording on his mobile phone and was saying, 'f***, f***, f*** and (other even stronger swear words)."

However Mr Blackwood's own account was very different.

He told the court that in fact the trouble started when Mr Walker drove past him at high speed with his hand down on the car horn.

He said Mr Walker stopped his Corsa about 100 yards in front of his £8,000 bike, adding Mr Walker reversed the car towards him twice and he feared for his life.

He admitted swearing in PC Grieves' presence but denied harassing him.

Chairman of the magistrates, Gareth Hicks, found in Mr Blackwood's favour, finding his account "forceful, clear and consistent" while Mr Walker had "an arrogant stance and was evasive when cross-examined." PC Grieves' account was clear but there were "some inconsistencies."

Outside the court Mr Blackwood said he was locked up for ten-and-a-half hours by police and serious questions needed to be asked.

He added: "The worst thing was my family, what it did to them. I knew I had done nothing wrong, but my family have had to suffer this."