Bradford Bulls star Tahi Reihana was today cleared of assault and affray charges after a court decided the evidence against him was unreliable.

Ruling there was no case to answer, Bradford stipendiary magistrate Guy Hodgson said no clear picture had emerged of the 26-year-old New Zealander's part in what was a "regrettable and disgraceful incident''.

And after the hearing at the city's magistrates court, Mr Reihana said: "I am relieved that it is all over.

"But it could have been sorted out a long time ago.

"I would like to thank my friends and family who have stood by me through this.

" I don't think that it has harmed my image but psychologically this has hung over me."

The court was told that the prosecution's case had been properly brought, but on the evidence heard it did not fit together.

Robert Phelan - who Reihana was alleged to have assaulted - had clearly had far too much to drink and his "aggressive and verbally abusive stance'' had sparked off the incident, said Mr Hodgson.

He added: "Mr Phelan's evidence could not be relied upon. He had an axe to grind.''

All but one of the witnesses had consumed alcohol in larger or smaller quantities, and that must have affected their powers of observation as well as their ability to remember exactly who had done what.

The charges followed an incident outside a Pizza restaurant in Wibsey, Bradford, last April.

Reihana, of Belmont Rise, Low Moor, Bradford, was awarded his defence costs.

A Bradford Bulls spokesman said: "Obviously it's great news for Tahi and it will be a weight off his shoulders.

"It gives him a chance to approach the play-offs with a clear head."

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