A JURY has cleared a man of a late-night knife attack in a Keighley street.

Simon Tillotson was today acquitted of slashing Anthony Wake in the face in Brathwaite Street in the early hours of June 20 last year.

He told Bradford Crown Court he was asleep on the settee at his then girlfriend's home when Mr Wake was assaulted.

Tillotson, 42, of Helme Lane, Meltham, was found not guilty of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Mr Wake with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, and the lesser, alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

Mr Wake suffered serious cuts to his face and neck needing hospital treatment.

He did not know Tillotson, who was said to have accused him of flirting with his girlfriend, Joanne Sinfield, before producing a knife and repeatedly lunging at him.

Tillotson told the jury he was alone at Miss Sinfield's address in Greenfield Court, Braithwaite, that night.

He said the couple, who had since split up, argued that night and Miss Sinfield went out alone.

Tillotson said he fell asleep watching television and did not wake until she returned in the early hours.

The court was told that Mr Wake's attacker had long, scruffy hair but Tillotson's lawyers produced photos of him before the attack that showed him with a shaved head.