Royal Navy officer who was chosen to lead sailors at Prince Philip’s funeral is cleared of assaulting his girlfriend’s ex partner and breaking his foot
- Darren Wearing MBE has been cleared of GBH after the incident in Hampshire
- The 45-year-old said he acted in self defence in argument with Mark Brocklesby
- Alleged fracas spilled into street during an argument about child maintenance
A Royal Navy officer has been cleared of causing grievous bodily harm after being accused of breaking his girlfriend’s ex-partner’s foot.
Warrant Officer Darren Wearing MBE, 45, was accused of shoving Mark Brocklesby as the pair argued over child maintenance in the street in Gosport, Hampshire.
Mr Brocklesby, a former Navy Physical Training Instructor who now works as a security manager, claims he was left with a broken foot after he tumbled over a wall and ‘rolled over his ankle’.
Warrant Officer Darren Wearing MBE has been cleared of GBH and alternative of occasioning actual bodily harm
Wearing, a state ceremonial training officer who has served in the Navy for 29 years, played a part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last month, denied causing grievous bodily harm and claimed he acted in self-defence.
The court heard that Wearing, who was ‘hand selected’ for a key role in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, had argued with Mr Brocklesby outside his then-fiancee’s house in July 2019.
Mr Brocklesby, a former Navy Physical Training Instructor who now works as a security manager, claims he was left with a broken foot after the incident
Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Mr Brocklesby had sent a court order to his ex-partner – who is now married to Wearing – saying he would be reducing the amount of money he provided for their teenage son.
Mr Brocklesby, who gave evidence via video link, told the court that when he turned back towards his car Wearing followed him out of the house to confront him.
Jurors were told Wearing shouted ‘Oi I want a f*****g word with you’ before assaulting Mr Brocklesby.
He claimed Wearing accused him of being a ‘f*****g liar’ about his financial situation and said ‘come on big man’ in a ‘raised and aggressive voice’.
As he drove away, he felt a ‘burning sensation’ in his foot which later swelled up, he said.
He then went to Gosport War Memorial Hospital where he received an X-Ray and fracture diagnosis.
Wearing is a state ceremonial training officer who has served in the Navy for 29 years and played a part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral last month
When asked in court if his manner had been aggressive, Wearing said: ‘My tone would be what is was normally.
‘Because of what I do, being a drill instructor, I’m generally louder than what I should be.’
He added that he did not feel his language was hostile and said: ‘I get it’s abusive language, but I think that’s potentially the military coming out of me. I’m not saying it’s right, but I think it’s generally accepted.’
When asked if he would use that language when addressing members of the Royal Family, he said: ‘Definitely not.’
Wearing, who served in the Gulf War and later in Afghanistan and Yemen, was involved in activating preparations for sailors who were arriving at HMS Collingwood in Fareham within one hour of Prince Philip’s death on April 9.
Mr Brocklesby went to Gosport War Memorial Hospital where he received an X-Ray and fracture diagnosis
His term as lead ceremonial officer was extended in anticipation of the Queen’s consort’s passing.
Jurors heard that Wearing, who was made an MBE in October last year, believed he was ‘going to be injured’ and ‘acted in self defence.’
‘I didn’t want to get hit or assaulted so my actions were to give some space so I pushed him,’ he said.
Jurors deliberated for five hours before returning not guilty verdicts to charges including GBH and alternative of occasioning actual bodily harm.
Recorder Elisabeth Bussey-Jones told Wearing: ‘You leave the dock with the same intact exemplary record you had previously.’