A FORMER alcoholic was yesterday cleared of unlawfully killing his drinking companion.

It took a Cardiff Crown Court jury less than three hours to find Phillip Bartlett, 39, of Daniel Place, Newport, not guilty of the manslaughter charge.

The court had heard how Bartlett struck Kevin Wilmott during an altercation on Clytha Square, Newport on December 17.

Mr Wilmott, an alcoholic who was five times over the legal driving limit at the time, was knocked over and struck his head on the pavement.

He died from brain injuries 11 days later.

The prosecution claimed Bartlett, the larger man, had unlawfully attacked a man who was drunk and could not be seen as a threat.

But Bartlett argued he only struck Mr Wilmott in self-defence.

He said Mr Wilmott wrongly suspected him of having an affair with his girlfriend and became aggressive.

He described the menacing way Mr Wilmott was coming at him and said despite pushing him away twice, Mr Wilmott kept coming back.

The third time, Bartlett said, he reached into his pocket as if he was going to take out a weapon.

Suddenly, he was afraid for his safety and struck Mr Wilmott on the jaw with a half-clenched fist.

Bartlett then told the court of his panic and distress when he saw Mr Wilmott bleeding and unconscious on the pavement.

He called an ambulance and gave Mr Wilmott first-aid until paramedics arrived.

Later, he went to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, where he apologised to a conscious Mr Wilmott.

Yesterday, as the verdict was read out Bartlett wept tears of relief.

The court heard former heroin addict and alcoholic Bartlett is now sober and off drugs.