Steve Payne, of Harold Wood, cleared of assaulting Rise Park teen Jack Brown

Ramzy Alwakeel, Reporter Friday, January 25, 2013
2.41 PM

A man convicted of beating a teenager unconscious has been cleared of the assault – six months after his co-defendant’s appeal was allowed.

Back in May, Steve Payne, of Little Aston Road, Harold Wood, and Jack Jefferson, of Redruth Road, Harold Hill, were sentenced to six months in prison for attacking Jack Brown in 2011.

But Mr Jefferson, 19, was cleared of involvement after an appeal in June – and last month Mr Payne, 20, also successfully appealed his conviction for assault by beating.

The appeal was heard and allowed at Snaresbrook Crown Court on December 4. Both men had always maintained their innocence.

Mr Payne, who by the appeal date had already served his sentence, told the Recorder: “I’m relieved all this is over.

“I’m grateful to my family, my friends and my girlfriend for sticking by me. I’m still sad I lost the job I enjoyed, which I’d had since college, but I’m looking to the future now – especially to a family holiday, which we all missed out on last year.”

His mother Julie added: “We would like to thank the family and friends who supported Steve and believed in his innocence throughout this horrendous ordeal.”