THE CASE against a man accused of attacking another in a pub punch-up was axed, after the Crown’s lead witness told lawyers he no longer wanted to give evidence.

Alistair Johnson had previously pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. It was said he had assaulted a man at The Moonrakers pub on November 23 last year.

The 37-year-old’s trial had been due to begin at Swindon Crown Court yesterday morning.

But the prosecution formally offered no evidence and Judge Peter Crabtree recorded a verdict of not guilty.

Simon Cooper, prosecuting, said the Crown’s primary witness had that morning said he no longer wished to give evidence.

In discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service’s lawyer, he had come to the view that the Crown could not prosecute the case on the evidence of CCTV footage alone.

Formally recording a not guilty verdict, Judge Crabtree told Johnson, of Atworth Close: “All I need do is tell you to leave the court.”