Jack Stevenson was acquitted on the charge of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm in Tamworth District Court on Friday afternoon.

The crown had maintained the single punch was deliberate on 37-year-old Curtis Ah Shay on November 8 in Peel St, but Stevenson argued he was scared and frightened that he would be hit, so he punched Mr Ah Shay to protect himself.

After deliberating for much of the day, the jury returned a unanimous verdict as Stevenson wept in the dock.

More details in tomorrow's edition of The Leader.