Thatcham/Newbury men involved in nightclub brawl cleared of assault

Damion Colledge-Whitehead, aged 23, of Paynesdown Road, Thatcham, Austin Stone, aged 22, of Groveland Road, Speen, Newbury and Simon Roberts, aged 23, of Park Way, Newbury, were all cleared of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, following a trial at Salisbury Crown Court yesterday (Thursday).
A 12-strong jury was shown CCTV footage of a fight, which erupted near the dance floor of Wonderland nightclub, in Basingstoke, on June 15, 2013.
The trio said they were acting in self-defence, or defence of another, after the alleged victim, Joe Sutton, head butted Colledge-Whitehead, who suffered a cut to his right eyebrow which required four stitches.
Mr Colledge-Whitehead described an "excruciating pain" and said "his eyes flashed white".
Defending Mr Colledge-Whitehead, Jeremy Barton said: "When Mr Colledge-Whitehead was arrested remember the reaction he gives, he says 'what? You have got the wrong guy'."
Defending Mr Roberts, Steve Molloy said "It should be Joe Sutton sitting in this dock and in particular I want to ask you to consider the actions of Simon Roberts in defence of himself and another were reasonable.”
Defending Mr Stone, Russell Pine said "Assault occasioning actual bodily harm is a bit more than just a trifling matter and it is of note that an hour afterwards the only injury the doctor could find is an injury caused by - what you may decide - are Mr Sutton's own actions.”
A fourth man, Liam Davis, aged 22, of Warwick Drive, Newbury, pleaded guilty to the same charge and will be sentenced next month (Feb).
For more on this story pick up a copy of the Newbury Weekly News on Thursday.