[Omah]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...t-2331754.html

Wright told police he "saw red" after hearing Tom Grantham, 21, say he was going to throw a brick through the window of Deuces Bar and Lounge, an Essex bar in which he had invested money.

A court heard a tussle ensued but Wright, who appears on the series The Only Way Is Essex, claimed he only wanted to protect himself.

Wright's friend Jack Tweed and his brother Lewis admitted common assault in relation to an attack on Mr Grantham on the night in question, January 3. They will be sentenced on August 16 at the same court.

On the night of January 3, Wright, of Abridge, Essex, was standing at the door of Deuces to prevent uninvited people gaining entry.

Wright had been told that Mr Grantham had been "bad-mouthing" Tweed and had denied him access to the bar, the court was told.

As Mr Grantham walked away, Wright heard him say that he would come back and throw a brick through the window, prosecutor Alex Matic said.

Wright told the court: "The bar has been tarnished three times now, I just wanted to know why he said it. He said something really aggressive. He said, 'I will knock you spark out'. I felt he was going to attack me. His hands were up and coming towards me. I wanted to protect myself."

During police interview Wright told officers he could not remember whether punches were thrown or what was going through his mind but could remember a "tussle. He added that this sort of behaviour was "not in his nature".

The court was shown CCTV footage which prosecutor Alex Matic claimed showed Wright swinging his fists at Mr Grantham, but later trying to help the other man get up when he was knocked to the ground in the scuffle that ensued.

Police had been called to the incident by CCTV operators who saw events unfold.

Mr Grantham, a builder, was temporarily knocked unconscious in the fracas, the court heard.

The 24-year-old held his head in his hands as he was cleared at Redbridge Magistrates' Court in Essex, and appeared close to tears.

The decision, read out by magistrate Glen Pierre, was applauded by members of his family sitting in the public gallery. After he was released from the dock, Wright, wearing a grey suit with a white shirt and black tie, embraced his grandfather in the courtroom.

Speaking outside the court, Wright said: "I appreciate the consideration of the court in clearing me of this charge. I am happy with the verdict which I believe is the correct one. I am now looking forward to putting this behind me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have stood by and believed in me - that includes of course my family and friends, everyone associated with Towie and my legal and management teams."