A PLASTERER accused of threatening an Ipswich landlord with a butcher's knife today spoke of his joy and relief at a jury's ruling on his innocence.Flanked by his girlfriend, Yvonne and friends and family, jubilant 27-year-old Glen Fulcher said: "I always knew I was innocent, it's great that it's been proved.

A PLASTERER accused of threatening an Ipswich landlord with a butcher's knife today spoke of his joy and relief at a jury's ruling on his innocence.

Flanked by his girlfriend, Yvonne, friends and family, jubilant 27-year-old Glen Fulcher said: "I always knew I was innocent, it's great that it's been proved. I'm chuffed."

A jury at Ipswich Crown Court took less than half an hour to throw out the case against Mr Fulcher claiming he had threatened the publican of the Orwell Mariner, Victor May and his brother, Peter.

The jury discounted the May brothers' version of events that Mr Fulcher carried out a "revenge attack" on the Vernon Street pub at closing time on April 17 last year after being barred.

In court, the brothers claimed Mr Fulcher threatened them with a foot-long butcher's knife and broke a window while Victor and Peter May and his common law wife, Patricia, sought refuge inside.

Prosecutor Hugh Vass moved for the trial to be halted after pub regular and key witness, Stephen Rozier, admitted he had lied in court about seeing a knife.

The court heard that rather than carrying out the attack, Fulcher himself had been assaulted by the May brothers.

Medical evidence presented in court confirmed Mr Fulcher was admitted to Ipswich Hospital's A&E Department with a broken arm after his arrest,

Mr Rozier, a friend of the Mays, admitted seeing the brothers follow Mr Fulcher with what looked like baseball bats.

Mr Vass said: "Rather than Glen Fulcher appearing in the dock it should be Victor and Peter May, but on the more serious charge of grievous bodily harm with intent."

Mr Fulcher of St Francis Tower, Ipswich, denied criminal damage and possessing a knife, and pledged to follow up the case.