A FORMER resident of Bellingham accused of committing an assault in the village has been found not guilty.

Lee Downs (36), now living at Eastgarth in Newcastle, appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates for trial on Wednesday.

He was accused of assault following an incident in Bellingham on Friday, June 29.

He had pleaded not guilty at a hearing in July.

Downs was found to be innocent, and the case was dismissed.