A JURY took just 20 minutes to clear a female night-club bouncer of assault.

Michaela Shaw (26) of Olsberg Close, Radcliffe, was alleged to have punched Elaine Powell to the ground before kicking her seven times in the head.

But a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court acquitted her of a charge of causing assault occasioning actual bodily harm, after retiring for just 20 minutes.

The court had heard that acting and dance student Miss Powell, 21, had gone to the Roxy night-club with her boy-friend Peter Abbot after performing in an end-of-term play at Peel College.

Miss Charlotte Holland, defending, said that Miss Powell struck out at Shaw and other doormen while trying to get to her boy-friend, who was being ejected.

Miss Powell said in cross-examination that she had drunk two pints of cider and blackcurrant in the club.

The court had earlier heard claims by Miss Powell that the defendant kicked her seven times in the head while male colleagues stood round shouting: "Kick the bitch's head in."

Mr Mike Fireman, prosecuting, said the violence had started when Mr Abbot, from Darwen, knocked a table and spilled some drinks.

Miss Powell, from Bolton, was treated at the Royal Blackburn Infirmary for a suspected fractured cheekbone after the incident on August 27 last year.

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