Bellamy cleared of girls' assault.

PREMIERSHIP footballer Craig Bellamy was yesterday cleared of assaulting two women at a nightclub.

The Wales and Liverpool striker, 27, was accused of common assault of Sophie Palmer and Holly Smith at the No 10 nightclub in Cardiff city centre in February.

District Judge John Charles told former Newcastle United star Bellamy at Cardiff Magistrates Court: "It was inconsistent to convict you with the serious discrepancies in the prosecution case and the two charges are dismissed."

Bellamy's friend, Franklin Lynch, 52, of Glan-Y-Mor, Barry, South Wales, who was accused of assaulting Miss Smith, was also cleared.

Bellamy, of Menei Way, Rumney, Cardiff, denied making any physical contact with the two young women during the alleged incident early on February 5.

He told the court yesterday it was, in fact, him who had been assaulted when one of the women slapped his face.

Miss Palmer, who was 19, claimed Bellamy grabbed her by the throat and held her against a wall after they exchanged heated words in a corridor. Miss Smith, who was 18, accused him of grabbing her by the wrist.

Mr Bellamy's solicitor Matthew de Maid said: "He has always said they were false allegations.

"If it hadn't been Mr Bellamy I doubt very much whether this case would have ever been brought to court. I think it's an example of the case proceeding in spite of the evidence."

CAPTION(S):

NOT GUILTY: Craig Bellamy arrives at court yesterday.