A PUB landlord who allegedly punched an environmental health officer in the face on a golf course after harbouring a grudge against him for 16 years has been cleared of assault. At Exeter Crown Court, Raymond Smith, 61, was found not guilty of assaulting David Kier and of putting him in fear of violence by harassing him. But he was convicted of the lesser charge of harassment and sentence was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. During the trial, the court heard that Mr Smith sent Mr Kier a string of threatening letters and in one of them said: ?I am coming to bash you on the nose.? A few days after he received that letter Mr Kier was on the 18th green at Okehampton Golf Club where both men were members. He was lining up his putt when he heard a noise and turned to see Mr Smith running towards him, shouting. Before Mr Kier could get out of the way, Mr Smith allegedly punched him in the face. The jury had heard that in 1989, Mr Kier, who was a health officer with West Devon Borough Council, had inspected the the London Inn at Okehampton. As a result of his report to the council Mr Smith was prosecuted under the food hygiene regulations. It appeared Mr Smith harboured the grudge for all those years until he started writing the letters addressed to Mr Kier at the golf club. Mr Kier told the court he found the letters threatening and had handed them to the police. Then in April this year he was allegedly attacked by Mr Smith on the golf course. After the initial blow Mr Kier retreated to the clubhouse and telephoned the police. They arrested Mr Smith the following day. Asked about the letters, Mr Smith said he thought they would give Mr Kier ?a taste of his own medicine?. In evidence, Mr Smith admitted that he had gone to the golf club to attack Mr Kier but had changed his mind at the last moment. He claimed that Mr Kier leapt towards him and, thinking he was going to be assaulted, he slapped him. Mr Smith. had pleaded not guilty to the two charges.
