TWO thugs are behind bars after a jury convicted them of breaking a man's cheekbone in a city centre street fight.

But a third man accused of starting the attack walked free after the jury acquitted him.

Judge Jim Spencer QC wanted to know exactly how dangerous Aaron David Graham is, after hearing that he has previous convictions for robbery and wounding.

He remanded Graham, 26, of Ordnance Lane, Fulford, in custody along with Karl David Archer, 31, of Mansfield House, Lowther Street, York, for probation service reports after a jury convicted both of them of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Martin Edwards.

The jurors heard that the pair were part of a group that knocked Mr Edwards out on St Saviourgate as they delivered a "mass of blows" and kicked him as he lay on the ground on the morning of December 12 last year.

He later had a plate inserted into his face to mend his cheekbone.

Forensic scientists found blood stains on both Graham and Archer's clothes after their arrests.

Mr Edwards claimed in a letter to Archer's solicitors that Archer was not responsible for the attack and that he felt indebted to Archer "for his life".

Archer claimed in a statement to police that he had ensured Mr Edwards got medical help, but he declined to give evidence at his trial.

Prosecution witnesses, one of whom picked Archer out at an ID procedure, said they saw two men return after the fight and try to take Mr Edwards away from the scene. They left him slumped against a wall. Mr Edwards claimed in evidence that Jay Anthony Power, 27, started the fight by punching him from behind.

The jury acquitted Mr Power, of Greenwood Grove, Acomb, of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and a less serious charge. All defendants denied all charges.

Mr Power gave evidence that he had only come into St Saviourgate after the scuffle started and that he took no part in it. He had seen a man lying on the ground.

Graham and Archer will return to court for sentence on December 8. Archer has previous convictions for theft and drug-related matters.