A MAN has been cleared of staging an aggravated burglary at a construction site office near Chipping Campden, after the prosecution dropped the case against him.

Jason Ward, from Birmingham, had denied the offence said to have taken place on January 30 this year at the JCA Construction office in Willersey.

His co-defendant, Paul Stuchbury, 45, of Amanda Drive, Birmingham, admitted his part in the incident.

Prosecutor, James Haskell, told the judge, recorder Paul Grumbar, at Gloucester crown court that in light of Stuchbury's pleas, the case against Mr Ward had been reviewed.

“The crown are offering no evidence against Mr Ward,” the prosecutor told the judge, and asked for formal not guilty verdicts to be recorded.

The judge agreed, and Mr Ward was formally acquitted of the allegations against him.

On May 29, Stuchbury pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary; affray; possession of an offensive weapon, said to be an axe; and destroying property - all at the construction site.

Stuchbury also pleaded guilty to theft on 30th January from B&Q and an assault on Alex Kennedy the same day.

A further offence of putting a person in fear of violence by harassment between January 26 and January 30 this year was denied by Stuchbury.

The prosecution alleged that he harassed David Griffiths by contacting him on Facebook, by telephone, and attending his workplace, thereby causing him to fear violence.

At the previous hearing Mr Haskell said in light of the guilty pleas to the other matters, he thought it would 'inconceivable' that the prosecution would want a trial on that outstanding offence.

Stuchbury will now be sentenced on Wednesday June 27.