article_snippet.sent: But the move backfired when police discovered that the altercation had been caught on CCTV and cleared Dean Paton of any wrongdoing.
article_snippet.sent: Last night Mr Paton said Mr Paton was relieved the case was finally over.
article_snippet.sent: But Mr Paton added: 'If I'd been prosecuted for racially aggravated assault you can bet I would have ended up in jail, not with a suspended prison sentence. '
article_snippet.sent: I'm married with two kids but would have lost my business and my livelihood.
article_snippet.sent: I couldn't really have been accused of anything worse. '
article_snippet.sent: William Beardmore, prosecuting, said: 'It was a tissue of lies.'
article_snippet.sent: By making that allegation against Mr Paton you put Mr Paton in a very difficult position.'
highlights_snippet.sent: But police found CCTV footage that showed in fact