Jury clears couple of assault on ex groom

The charge related to incidents following a showjumping event at the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead in July 2006.

Kathleen Baker's boyfriend, Ben Maher, who was the youngest member of the British equestrian team in Beijing and is a regular competitor at Hickstead, looked relieved as she was told she could walk free from the dock at Brighton Crown Court.

Mr Maher (25) had also stood trial for assaulting Megan Pugh, his ex-girlfriend and former groom, but on Thursday jurors were invited to return a verdict of not-guilty on the grounds that there was not enough evidence to convict him.

The jury took just 20 minutes to find Miss Baker (26) not guilty of attacking Miss Pugh.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette October 22