A FORMER boxing champ has spoken out for his son, cleared of assaulting a woman at a pub karaoke evening.

Nigel Rea, 25, of Russell Place, Great Harwood, was found not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm, after a one-and-a-half day trial at Burnley Crown Court.

He had denied the allegation and was discharged from the dock by Judge Raymond Bennett.

His father, Desmond Rea, an ex-British Champion welterweight boxer, said he believed his son was victimised because of who his father was.

He said: "He's only boxed once but he's always been associated with boxing.

"It's made life very difficult for him and it was brought up in court.

"The case has been going on for nearly a year and he hasn't been out in Great Harwood since.

"He hasn't been barred but he feels frozen out of every place."

The jury had been told Rea allegedly punched Miss Susan Peacock in the face after his wife collapsed at The Walmsley Arms, Great Harwood, last September.

Miss Peacock blasted: "Get a life Sarah," after Mrs Rea fainted and Rea, 15 stone and self-proclaimed "big lad," told her she should learn to keep quiet.

Giving evidence, Rea said Miss Peacock "launched" herself at him and he put his hand out. He told the jury he had never laid a finger on a woman and never would.

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