A 38-YEAR -old man accused of slashing two friends amid early hours violence in Accrington, has been cleared of one offence.

On the direction of Judge Raymond Bennett, a Burnley Crown Court jury found William Fullerton not guilty of wounding Kevin Graves, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

Fullerton, of Hornby Street, Accrington, is still standing trial and denies wounding Michael Clitheroe with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

He is also accused of affray, together with Dominic 0'Sullivan, 42, of Mallard Place, Oswaldtwistle.

A third defendant, O'Sullivan's brother, William, 46, of Heron Way, Oswaldtwistle, pleads not guilty to affray.

Proceeding