A MAN accused of a New Year’s Day stabbing in Selby has been found not guilty after a three-day trial at York Crown Court.

Ian James Hearty, 39, of Bridge Court, Selby, said he was relieved at the verdict, which saw him leave court a free man after being cleared of wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

The trial had heard evidence from stabbing victim David Harper, who alleged a three-inch-deep (eight cm) wound, which punctured his kidney, was caused by Mr Hearty in the early hours of January 1.

Mr Harper, 18, along with brother Aaron, and friend Danny James, had gone to the flat of a female friend they had met in the Riverside pub earlier that evening.

Mr Hearty, whose daughter, Sarah, also lived at the flat near Selby College, was at the property when the friends arrived, and the atmosphere was described in court as “friendly”.

The court heard the evening descended into violence when, after asking the three boys to leave the flat, Mr Hearty allegedly followed them outside.

“We left and he followed us out,” alleged David Harper.

“Danny and Ian started arguing and it got a bit aggressive.

“I saw Ian Hearty had hold of Danny by the scruff of his neck and was shouting in an aggressive way.”

Mr Harper said he threw “one or two” punches at Mr Hearty who then released Mr James and went back to the flat.

Accounts of what happened next differed, with Mr Hearty claiming he had been the victim of a barrage of kicks and punches by the three friends, which left him so badly bruised he went back to the flat and stayed there.

Mr Harper and Mr James claimed Mr Hearty re-emerged from the flat and stabbed David Harper in the back.

The jury took about three hours to return a verdict of not guilty.

Speaking outside the courtroom, Mr Hearty said he now wanted to get on with his life again.

“I’m just very relieved this is over,” he said.