Proceedings against an Oxford doorman accused of shoving an intoxicated man have been halted after judges ruled the evidence was insufficient.

Leonard Hoxha, residing in Ashmole Place, faced trial at Oxford Crown Court.

The 44-year-old denied a single charge of causing really serious harm.

The claimed assault occurred on 19 April 2023 at the Thirst Bar on Park End Street. Hoxha was alleged to have injured Luke Bryan.

The court was told that Bryan had made the journey from Bristol to Oxford on 18 April to attend a football match at the Kassam Stadium where Oxford United faced Portsmouth, accompanied by companions.

Following the match, Bryan and two companions entered the city centre and attempted entry to several establishments before arriving at Thirst Bar shortly after midnight.

The jury heard that a Champagne bottle had been purchased. Hoxha was employed as a door supervisor at the venue alongside a colleague named Aaron Sadler.

When they observed Bryan staggering about, they attempted to escort him out of the premises, the court was informed.

Footage was displayed to the jury depicting the two security staff along with the venue’s manager escorting Bryan outside.

Once on the street, Bryan ended up on the pavement. The prosecution contended that Hoxha shoved him.

The jury heard that Bryan sustained injuries to his head and elbow. Hoxha and Sadler then provided initial assistance before Bryan was conveyed to hospital.

He was released a week afterward. Hoxha was taken into custody in relation to the matter and declined to answer questions during questioning.

A witness statement from one of Bryan’s companions, Martin Stone, was presented to the jury.

Stone’s account stated that he witnessed door staff gripping Luke. He felt the security personnel appeared somewhat overly forceful.

Luke was lying in a drain with blood coming from his head. I pressed tissue against the wound to stem the bleeding.

Luke was not displaying any aggression towards anyone. He remained in his usual relaxed manner.

Once the prosecution concluded its case, defence counsel Elizabeth Lambert requested the proceedings be terminated citing insufficient evidence. Judge Michael Roques granted this application.

Judge Roques instructed the jury that legislation permits the defence to argue at the close of the prosecution case that the evidence is so flimsy it cannot properly be considered by a jury.

The case rests solely on the allegation of a push right at the conclusion of the incident.

I have concluded that you cannot determine this constituted a push. The defendant placed his hand on the complainant’s back.

All parties acknowledge he was justified in employing some degree of force to remove the intoxicated person from the premises.

In these circumstances, the evidence does not support a guilty verdict.

The judge informed the jury that the prosecution had a day to determine whether to challenge the ruling.