Sturdee Sports and Social Club, in Hoo

by Keith Hunt

A DJ accused of lashing out at a scooter rally enthusiast after criticising the music he was playing has been cleared of assault.

Paul Bear was working at the three-day event at the Sturdee Sports and Social Club, in Stoke Road, Hoo, in August 2010.

The man he was accused of attacking, Gregory Bolongaro, was at the rally on his birthday on Friday 13th.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he had been drinking since the late afternoon and spent most of the night on the dance floor.

At about 3.30am Mr Bolongaro shouted at the DJ: "Play something we can dance to."

It was then Mr Bear, known as Bearsy, was alleged to have attacked him.

"He only remembers that he was on the floor on his back with people around about him," said Alistair Keith, prosecuting.

His girlfriend Lisa Davis said she saw him on the floor and a man kicking him repeatedly to the head. He was punched and kicked unconscious.

Mr Bear, of Southampton, Hampshire, denied assault causing actual bodily harm and was acquitted by the jury of 10 women and two men.

The DJ, said to be well-known on the soul scene, told police following his arrest that he had played an earlier slot in the evening and went to his tent at about 1.30am.

"He said he was not part of the assault and knew nothing about it in any way, shape or form," said the prosecutor.

The trial was heard at Maidstone Crown Court

Mr Bolongaro suffered bruising and swelling in the assault. He originally had a suspected fractured cheekbone.

He admitted he was drunk, but described his comment as "fun banter". He denied he had taken drugs and could not explain why he had told the hospital he had taken ecstasy.

Mr Bolongaro, from London, added he did not know who had attacked him.

The scooter rally was in a large field and attracted a few hundred people over the weekend with several DJs playing 45 minute slots of Northern soul, ska and reggae.