A MAN has walked free from court after being cleared of twice attacking a former friend.
Steven Brown, 30, faced charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
But a jury at Teesside Crown Court returned not guilty verdicts on both counts at the end of a trial.
Gas fitter Matthew Anderson, 25, from Darlington, alleged that Mr Brown beat him up over a 40 debt last November.
It was also claimed Mr Brown repeatedly stabbed his ex-pal three weeks later after the money had been repaid and Mr Anderson leapt from an upstairs window to escape.
But Mr Brown, 30, formerly from Darlington, but now of Penistone Road, Middlesbrough, was acquitted of both allegations.
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