AN Irvine man has spoken out after being cleared of a knife attack.

David Porter, of Dickson Drive, was accused of leaving a man permanently disfigured after an attack in Ardrossan’s Parkhouse Road on May 1.

The 30-year-old, while acting with another, was charged with punching a man repeatedly on the head before striking him on the head with a knife or similar implement to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

But after standing trial at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week, a jury returned a not proven verdict on Mr Porter.

The court heard how the Irvine man and a friend were in The Cafe Palazzo chip shop in Ardrossan just before the incident occurred.

Thereafter, Mr Porter alleged he was in fact assaulted by his accusers in the indictment

And this week Mr Porter contacted the Times to expressed his relief at being cleared of the offence.

He said: “I’m glad the jury found me not proven, I was the one who was actually assaulted here.

“The stress since May of this coming to court has driven me into the ground.

“I’m just glad the jury found me not proven.”

Mr Porter’s solicitor, James Irvine, was not available for comment.