A 32-year-old man has been cleared of attacking the landlord of a sports and social club after a jury found that he acted in self defence.

Tony Sherwin was acquitted yesterday of causing Neil Cullen actual bodily harm on March 31, 2012.

Mr Sherwin, of West View, Silsden, punched Mr Cullen, breaking his nose, and bit his wrist after a karaoke talent contest at the Cobbydale Sports & Social Club, in Hayhills Road, Silsden.

Mr Sherwin told Bradford Crown Court he was being throttled on the ground by Mr Cullen while blows were rained on him by other men in the club.

He agreed the incident started after he smashed a glass after a row with his girlfriend.

Mr Sherwin said he was walking out of the club when Mr Cullen grabbed him from behind, rugby tackled him to the floor and throttled him with both hands.

“He was kneeling on my chest and his grip was getting tighter and tighter. I was being strangled to death. I was about to pass out, turning purple,” Mr Sherwin said.

He kicked out at Mr Cullen, aiming for his chest, to make him let go.

Mr Sherwin told the jury: “I had boot marks on my side and my ribs, bruising on my arms and a purple thumb print and bruises and swelling round my throat.”

He said all his actions were “purely in self defence”.