A MAN accused of a vicious street attack which left a father with a broken nose and fractured jaw was cleared yesterday.

Paul Williamson, 21, was accused of taking part in a joint attack on 44-year-old John Morton on New Year's Eve 2002.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Mr Morton was on his way to the Lampton Village Centre when he was knocked to the ground by a group.

Mr Williamson was accused of being one member of the group. He was identified by a witness as an attacker, but said Mr Morton had struck him first.

Williamson, of Dairy Lane, Houghton Le Spring, denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was cleared following a trial by a jury.