A BOUNCER from Renfrewshire has been cleared of attacking a gunman who pointed a loaded pistol at him outside a city centre bar.

Benjamin Bibby, 33, was accused of repeatedly punching and kicking Francis Smith at Nico's, in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, on December 21, 2019.

Mr Smith pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow in February 2020 to pulling a Slovakian-manufactured Grand Power self-loading pistol on Mr Bibby and another bouncer.

He also admitted two breaches of the Firearms Act and was jailed for five years.

Mr Smith, 34, had earlier been involved in an incident at the bar before telling the bouncers: "I am going to get a gun and shoot you."

He returned moments later with the gun, which he claimed he had found in a park, before being wrestled to the ground by the bouncers.

Mr Bibby, of Paisley, was due to stand trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court on a single charge of assaulting Mr Smith but the matter was deserted today after the Crown were unable to cite an important witness at the second calling of the case.

Alan Gravelle, defending, earlier told the hearing: "You can see this arises from the same incident from the High Court and, with Mr Smith receiving a sentence, it demonstrates the passage of time we are dealing with.

"The High Court matter has been dealt with and my submission is the balance must be in favour of Mr Bibby."

Prosecutor Darren Harty asked for the matter to be adjourned for a further date but this was refused by Sheriff Shona Gilroy.

Mr Bibby had his case deserted and was free to leave the dock.