A 29-year-old man from Borehamwood accused of kicking a St Patrick's Day reveller to death in a drunken brawl was cleared of manslaughter last week.

After three trials at The Old Bailey, Jake Rennards, from Durham Road, was found not guilty of stamping 41-year-old Dubliner John Flynn to death in a Willesden shop in the early hours of March 18, 2004.

Rennards stared at the ceiling as the verdict was announced and hugged his barrister as he walked free.

A jury heard how Rennards and his friend got into a silly fight' with Flynn after he pulled out a knife in the convenience store.

Speaking outside the court on Friday after his two-year ordeal, Rennards said: "I am just so glad that the truth of what happened has been accepted at last."

The first jury to try him for murder had to be dismissed shortly before they were due to deliberate the case. Then a second jury cleared him of murder but could not agree on manslaughter charges.

Rennards claimed Mr Flynn shouted at his two female friends: What are you doing with those stupid Irish pricks?' The prosecution said that a fight broke out and the two men were gaining the upper hand over Mr Flynn and the girls were shouting: leave him alone'.

Mr Flynn then took out a knife and slashed at Rennards, cutting his shirt and jeans.

The jury heard how after a sustained attack on Mr Flynn, he was kicked and stamped on.

He lay motionless in the road before receiving help, but refused to go to hospital. He was found dead in his Willesden home the following evening.

Sir Allan Green, QC prosecuting said Mr Flynn died from the injuries he sustained in the attack the day before. He suffered five broken ribs and a blood blister on his spleen.

Rennards was only arrested after the attack was later featured on BBC's Crimewatch, but he refused to name his friend.

The women in the shop have never been traced.

Denying manslaughter, Rennards said Mr Flynn had waited for him outside with his arm behind his back and then came towards him.

"I just saw a big slash going down me and I didn't know what he was going to do after that," he said.

Rennards said he was frightened and punched Mr Flynn, causing him to slip off the kerb.

When the Irishman tried to get up, he kicked him to make him stay down, the court heard.

Rennards said: "I just meant to put him on the floor so we could get away really."

After seven hours of deliberation, the jury accepted that he acted in self defence.