A RUGBY player accused of stamping on an opponent's head has spoken of his relief after he was cleared of assault.

Mark Briggs, 23, walked free from Teesside Crown Court yesterday after he was acquitted of unlawful wounding by a jury on the direction of the judge.

Mr Briggs, a Hartlepool Rovers player at the time, was accused of attacking rival player Ian Cowley during a ruck towards the end of a clash with Billingham Rugby Club at the Rovers' ground on March 4 last year.

It was the second time Mr Briggs, of Elwick Road, Hartlepool, had faced a crown court trial over the allegation.

In February, he was cleared by a jury of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. They failed to reach a verdict on the unlawful wounding charge and a re-trial was ordered.

In the latest trial, the prosecution told the jury that Mr Cowley came by his injuries after he fell to the ground which led to a ruck - a loose scrum - forming round him.

It was alleged that during the melee Mr Briggs stamped twice on Mr Cowley's head, which left him needing more than 30 stitches.

Judge Tony Briggs ruled the case unsafe and said: "Having seen the size and stature of some of the people involved in the ruck it is not surprising that some injury occurred."

Afterwards, a tearful Mr Briggs said his acquittal ended 18 months of torment for his family.

He said: "The incident was on the ball and it was all part of the game - it is a contact sport after all.

"A game of rugby has been confused with a criminal offence. The case was all about the compensation culture and this end might put other people off trying it.

"It hasn't put me off the game. I'm playing tonight."