Anton Innocent

Ferdinand, along with his friend Edward Dawkins had faced charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm outside Faces nightclub in Ilford, east London, on October 2 last year, affray, and alternative common assault and public order offences.

Anton admitted throwing the first punch against a man he believed was going to rob him of his £64,000 watch. A jury of five-women and seven-men took just over 90 minutes to accept that he was acting in self-defence.

Judge William Kennedy told the defender and his friend, "Stand up gentlemen. This was an unfortunate incident for you both which is now at an end.

"You now leave without a stain on your character arising from it. Good afternoon to you."