Ex-Huddersfield Rugby Union Thiu Barnard cleared of GBH

Mar 19 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A FORMER Huddersfield rugby player has been cleared of an assault on another man.

Thiu Barnard, who played for Huddersfield Rugby Union Club in 2006 and 2007, was found not guilty of causing grievous bodily harm to Matthew Burns on August 2.

The South African-born second row player was acquitted after a two-day trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Mr Barnard, 25, of Highgate Avenue, Lepton, signed to the Lockwood-Park based Huddersfield RU in June 2006 after a spell for Springbok side Durban Collegians.

He married Huddersfield girlfriend Kim in 2007.