Actor ‘shocked’ after men cleared of attacking him

FORMER Casualty actor Clive Mantle was yesterday “utterly shellshocked” after two men were cleared of an attack in which part of his ear was bitten off.

Philip McGilvray, 33, admitted biting the 6ft 5in actor’s ear after they clashed in a Newcastle hotel corridor in a late night row over noise last March, but claimed self defence. He and his friend Alan French, 32, also from Hamilton, Scotland, were cleared yesterday of GBH with intent and the lesser charge of GBH after a jury at Newcastle Crown Court deliberated for almost five hours.

Last night Mr Mantle issued a statement in which he said: “I am utterly shellshocked by the verdict of the court, and have lost a great deal of faith in a process which can deliver such an injustice.

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“As much as I am hurt and baffled by the decision, I am more worried at the message it gives out to law abiding people who dare to point out the terrible behaviour of others. Are we all just meant to sit back and not say anything?”