A Hells Angel boss has been formally cleared of partially blinding a father for refusing to join his biker gang.

Matthew Barnes, President of the Sussex chapter of Hells Angels, was accused of headbutting Christopher Harrison, aka Swaggers, in his 50s.

It was alleged Mr Harrison was repeatedly kneed and punched outside the Carlisle pub in Hastings, East Sussex, in February 2016.

A barmaid waved down a passing police van to help after finding him lying unconscious on the ground with his eyes ruptured.

Mr Barnes, 48, of Washington, West Sussex, and Oliver Wilkinson, of St Leonards, East Sussex, had denied causing grievous bodily harm.

Mr Wilkinson was acquitted following a trial in 2018.

Mr Barnes faced a retrial at the Old Bailey but, after 24 hours of deliberations, the jury could not agree on a verdict.

Judge Angela Rafferty QC discharged the jury and entered a formal not guilty verdict after the prosecution said it would not seek a retrial.

Afterwards, Mr Barnes expressed his relief the case was finally over after three years as he walked free from court.