A boxer in training who admitted punching a New Year's Eve reveller to the floor has been cleared of a charge of unlawful wounding.

Sean Meaney, aged 22, had been accused of an unprovoked attack on Alfie "Digger" Boswell inside the Three Mariners pub in the centre of Tenby.

But Meaney told police he was afraid of being assaulted himself and lashed out "in fear."

Following a trial at Swansea crown court a jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

Meaney, of Marshall Road, Monkton, had been at the pub on December 31st, 2008, with friends when he saw Mr Boswell.

He said Mr Boswell, who was with a group of relatives and friends, seemed to be staring at him menacingly and he became so, concerned, he decided to leave.

He went to the toilet first but found himself facing Mr Boswell as he walked back into the pub.

Creighton Harvey, prosecuting, alleged that Meaney had hit Mr Boswell and then kicked him while he was on the ground, causing a split lip and two lost teeth.

But Mr Boswell, who needed treatment at Withybush hospital and then later specialist care at Swansea's Morriston hospital, said he did not see Meaney kick him and he may have been stamped on accidentally during the commotion that followed the initial blow.

Meaney, who always denied kicking Mr Boswell, told police he was not proud of himself and felt sick at the thought of the injuries Mr Boswell had suffered.