Matthew and Michael Godden on trial - far left Matthew, right Michael. Picture: Nick Johnson

by Julia Roberts

A Gravesend man who confronted a group of youths who had earlier abused him in the street has been cleared of stabbing a teenage girl.

Matthew Godden, 28, had denied wounding the 16-year-old with intent in October last year. He told a jury during his trial at Maidstone Crown Court that he was "absolutely not" responsible for the knifing.

He maintained he did not have a knife, nor would he use one to injure anybody.

Today the jury cleared him of the offence, as well as an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

He was also cleared of an offence of assault by beating on a teenage boy during the same incident.

Godden, of Preston Road, Northfleet, was, however, convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm to a 17-year-old girl.

His brother, Michael, 24, also of Preston Road, had denied assault causing actual bodily harm to the same 17-year-old, and assault by beating on another youth. He was found not guilty of both charges.

Godden had told the jury he confronted the group of youths because he did not want "mob rule" in society.

He said the gang had been "tremendously aggressive", hurling abuse at him as he walked home with his younger brother from an evening in the pub on October 2.

Adjourning sentence of Matthew Godden until August 18 for reports, Judge Jeremy Carey warned him that the conviction for assault passed the custody threshold.

"It was a premeditated act in that you went back to the scene," he added.