A MAN accused of attacking his brother in the street with a Samurai sword as a family feud escalated out of control was cleared by a jury yesterday.

Paul Ditchburn, 31, of Durham Road, Brotton, east Cleveland, had been standing trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with wounding his brother, Peter, with intent, and wounding another man, Martin Clarke, with intent.

The jury found him not guilty of both charges.

The court previously heard Mr Ditchburn's family had been split by a row.

On November 25 last year, there was a party at Peter's house, in Brotton, during which several people left the house and went to Paul Ditchburn's home.

Afterwards, police were called to Paul's house after a brick was thrown through a window. The defendant was called home from work.

The prosecution claimed several people, including Peter Ditchburn and Martin Clarke went back to Paul's house, and, as they approached, he appeared with a Samurai-type sword and attacked his brother, hitting him on the head, arm and thigh.

They also accused Mr Ditchburn of attacking Martin Clarke with the sword.

Mr Ditchburn denied the charges.

Judge, Mr Recorder Patrick Cosgrove, issued a warning to both sides of the family to keep the peace in the future.

Mr Ditchburn said as he left court he was delighted to have been cleared, but added he did not think he would be speaking to his brother again.

He said: "I just want to get on with my life. I've learned my lesson."