Preston North End footballer Jordan Storey has been cleared of ABH (Actual Bodily Harm) and affray following an incident in a Preston nightclub. The charges stemmed from a claim by Tomas Watmough, 20, who alleged that Storey punched him in the mouth at Popworld on Church Street on January 14 of the previous year.

Storey, 26, testified at Preston Crown Court that he acted in self-defense, pushing Watmough away in response to a perceived threat of a headbutt. CCTV footage presented in court showed Watmough being punched by a second, unidentified man.

After the punch, Watmough was seen wiping blood from his mouth. The next day, a dentist confirmed via x-rays that his upper front tooth was fractured and required removal. Watmough's mother subsequently reported the incident to the police, naming Storey as the assailant. Storey voluntarily attended a police interview to address the allegations.

The jury deliberated and returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty on both charges of ABH and affray. Storey stated that he sought to avoid any trouble during his night out in Preston that January.