The Only Way Is Essex star cleared in nightclub row
A reality TV star has been found not guilty of using threatening behaviour towards a man outside an Essex nightclub owned by him.
Mark Wright, of Abridge, who features in The Only Way Is Essex, denied using threatening behaviour towards Tom Grantham, 21, in Chigwell on 3 January.
Mr Wright, 24, said he "saw red" when he heard him threatening to throw a brick through Deuces Bar and Lounge.
The star said he had wanted to protect himself during the ensuing scuffle.
Outside Redbridge Magistrates' Court Mr Wright said he wanted to put the incident behind him.
On Wednesday, Jack Tweed, the widower of Big Brother contestant Jade Goody, and his younger brother Lewis, 21, pleaded guilty to attacking builder Mr Grantham outside the club, leaving him with a black eye and bruised face.
They will be sentenced on 16 August.
Both Jack Tweed, 24, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, and Mr Wright have invested a "substantial amount of money" in refurbishing the club, which was targeted by a fire bomb before its reopening last October, the court heard.
The attack on Mr Grantham took place days after the club finally reopened after the attack in December.
Mr Wright prevented Mr Grantham from entering the club after hearing that he had "bad mouthed" Jack Tweed, but the situation escalated when the builder was heard saying he would come back and throw a brick through a window, the court heard.
Giving evidence, Mr Wright said: "I felt he was going to attack me... I wanted to protect myself."
The court was also shown CCTV footage of the incident which prosecutor Alex Matic had said showed Mr Wright swinging his fists at the builder.
Giving the decision magistrate, Glen Pierre said: "Mr Wright found himself in the middle of a violent situation, and events happened very quickly.
"We cannot tell from the CCTV if there were punches and if they connected."
"There is no evidence to contradict Mr Wright's evidence that he felt he was being threatened."
After the verdict Mr Wright said: "I am now looking forward to putting this behind me.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have stood by and believed in me."