A man chucked out of a Gloucester nightclub had his case thrown out of court after a district judge urged the prosecution and defendant to view the CCTV footage.

The film showed bouncers manhandling 28-year-old Delroy Cauchi of Robinson Road, Moreland, Gloucester out of Fever nightclub in Eastgate Street.

Prosecuting solicitor Louise Pinder told district judge Richard Brown at the city magistrates court yesterday: "There is no CCTV footage inside the club but the CCTV outside just shows the defendant being physically removed. He is not resisting and is inanimate."

Earlier Cauchi, who was not represented, pleaded not guilty to being drunk and disorderly and the court was poised to list the case for trial.

A police statement said that the defendant smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and agitated.

When escorted out he was aggressive.

But the defendant said: "I was a bit drunk but I was not disorderly and I was surrounded by friends who will vouch for this.

"I was at a hen party and was having fun and was going to leave the nightclub anyway, when I felt door staff dragging me outside."

The district judge said: "It would be an awful shame to have to have the expense of a trial in this case.

"Once he was thrown out of the club why didn't the police just leave it at that? If the police were called every time somebody was thrown out of a nightclub they would be there all the time."

After the defendant and Miss Pinder viewed the CCTV footage in a separate courtroom, the prosecution withdrew the case.

"The defendant was arrested at night and held until 10am the following morning," added judge Brown. "I think that's enough for him anyway. Case dismissed, you can go."