A GWENT man was cleared of allegations that he deliberately used a pint glass to cause a pub customer serious injury.

Alan Bailey, 24, had told the jury at Cardiff Crown Court that seconds before the incident he "went into a trance" and could not give a reason for his behaviour.

Bailey, of Pentwyn, The Bryn, Abergavenny, was found not guilty of wounding Neil Gethin with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

At the start of the trial Bailey pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of wounding but this was not accepted by the prosecution.

Sentence was adjourned for psychiatric and probation reports and Bailey was remanded on bail.

Judge Philip Richards said: "There is absolutely no explanation for the defendant's admitted conduct."

Prosecutor Christopher Rees said that on the night of December 4 last year, Mr Gethin was in the Market Tavern, Abergavenny, talking about dogs to a group of friends when for no reason Bailey struck him to the face after aiming a glass at him.

After that, said Mr Rees, he sat down expressionless and one witness said "it was as if nothing had happened."

Mr Gethin's face was covered in cuts and it was fortunate, said Mr Rees, that glass didn't go into an eye.

Bailey told the jury that he took a sip of beer, felt himself go into a trance and became angrier and angrier.

"I'm not sure why. I picked up the glass and threw it with my right hand," he said.

"I saw Mr Gethin bleeding. I didn't know him and I hadn't spoken to him that night."

He said he accepted he had caused the injuries but hadn't intended doing so.

"I fully apologise for what I did. I didn't mean to harm anyone."