A man has been cleared of trying to set his former lover alight during a swingers' party she had organised.

Kenneth Stewart, Hazelwood Road, Walthamstow, had been in business with Helen Shield, running regular parties known as the Black Man’s Fan Club.

The prosecution alleged that Stewart, known as 'Tony', chased Miss Shields through the detached house in Radlett, Hertfordshire, squirting lighter fuel over her and clutching a lighter.

But on Tuesday he was cleared by a jury of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent and making a threat to kill.

However, he had pleaded guilty to a charge of affray and jailed for 12 months - the period of time he has already served on remand.

An indefinite restraining order was issued which banned him from contacting Miss Shield or going within 100 yards of her.

Judge Barbara Mensah said the incident must have been very frightening for the victim and friends who witnessed it.

And she also said that whatever the truth behind their business fall out it did not justify what he had done.

The court heard that the adult parties were held twice a month at a private house.

Giving evidence Miss Shields said that the club's 100 to 1500 members had a "common interest".

"Members were either black guys or a lady into black guys," she told the jury.

The court heard that last November after four and a half years together, 43-year-old Miss Shields, who comes from Merseyside, decided to end her relationship with Stewart.

Following the split, there was an attempt by the pair to continue the parties.

But, by January this year, the relationship had become ‘untenable’, according to Simon Wilshire, prosecuting.

He said Mr Stewart wanted £2,500 from Miss Shields to walk away from the business.

In February this year a party was due to be held at a private house.

It was a regular venue and around 150 people were expected to attend the event, which would start around 10pm and continue into the early hours.

Miss Shields arrived at the property with five men who had come along to help with catering, set up the bar and provide security.

However, on arrival, they discovered Mr Stewart was already there with his new girlfriend.

He was asked to leave the house and stepped outside, but he returned and threw lighter fuel over Miss Shields, which she at first thought was acid.

Stewart, 44, told the jury that he "flipped".

"It was a case of split second rage. I was saying 'Bastards, you can't be doing this to me'. I was annoyed, I was saying 'You are robbing me'. I just let loose"

He said he had picked up the lighter fuel earlier while clearing up and claimed he never directed it at Miss Shields.

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