Sutton United striker Bradley Woods-Garness has been found not guilty of attempted revenge on a witness in a previous murder trial.

Woods-Garness, 25, was the only one of four accused to be found not guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court today.

The ex-England schoolboy footballer was alleged to have been part of a gang which chased a witness in Liverpool.

Sutton United manager Paul Doswell, who is celebrating after being handed a lucrative FA Cup second round tie with Notts County, said: "It's the best news I've had all week.

"I have said from the start he was innocent, and maybe this will teach a few people who have been condemning us for supporting him to keep their mouths shut.

"He has lost six months of his life, and we will welcome him back with open arms."

The witness, 18, whom Woods-Garness was alleged to have chased, had given evidence which had helped convict Leon Dunkley and Mohammed Smoured, both 22, at their murder trial in April.

The two were convicted and jailed for life for shooting dead 16-year-old Agnes Sina-Inakoju in a Hoxton takeaway.

Agnes was shot in the neck with a sub-machinegun and died from her injuries two days later.

The witness, who cannot be named, helped police track down her killers after his house was raided in the aftermath of the shooting.