after a Magistrate acquitted him of assaulting his former girlfriend.

Kenneth Dill, 49, had pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his former girlfriend, 33-year-old Leyoni Junos.

Yesterday to cries of "yes'' from the crowded public gallery, the Magistrate, the Wor. Cheryl-Ann Mapp, acquitted Dill of the charge.

After the hearing, Dill, of Southdown Farm, Southampton, was congratulated by friends and supporters.

He said: "Justice has been done. I have never, in my entire life, raised my hands in anger to either man, woman or child.'' During the trial last month, the court was told that Dill had "physically and emotionally abused'' Junos, with whom he had an "on-off'' relationship.

The court heard that Junos, of Paddock Drive, Warwick, arrived one night at Dill's house at about 10 p.m. while he was talking on the telephone and drinking a glass of orange.

Dill told the court that all of a sudden the door burst open and the phone was disconnected. He said she was screaming and smelled of alcohol.

Junos, said Dill, slapped him across the face and kicked him. When she lifted a portrait of him in Regiment uniform, Dill put his arms around her waist and took her outside, although Junos came back in.

He later left his house, returning to find his clothes strewn around the home and left again to spend the rest of the night at his office. The court was told that Dill has pressed counter assault charges against Junos.

Dill, who was described as a "man of peace'' by his lawyer Mr. Saul Froomkin, denied punching Junos saying that he immobilised her in an effort to drag her outside.

Last night, chairman of the Commission's board, Canon James Francis who attended the court case, said he had not had a chance to talk to Dill.

However, he added: "I am happy for the result and happy for Mr. Dill. Now we can get on with the business of human rights.'' Yesterday, Mrs. Mapp said: "It is the opinion of this court that there remains doubts that this offence has been proven. The prosecution's case does not meet the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt. I therefore acquit the defendant.'' Kenneth Dill